SM Megamall in Mandaluyong has dismissed a security guard following a viral video on social media showing a girl selling sampaguita being forced to leave the area.
SM Megamall stated that it condemns the actions of the security guard, emphasizing its commitment to promoting inclusivity.
"We regret and sympathize with the young girl who experienced an unfortunate incident outside our mall," the SM Megamall management said in a statement early Monday.
"We have called the attention of the security agency to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation. The security guard has been dismissed and will no longer be allowed to service any of our malls," it added.
"As SM Supermalls always promotes inclusivity for all, we strongly condemn this act committed against her," the statement further read.
In the viral video, particularly one that circulated on TikTok, the security guard was seen destroying the sampaguita being held by the girl, who was in school uniform, and forcibly driving her away.
The video also showed the young girl expressing frustration over the incident. In response, she hit the security guard with the damaged sampaguita she was trying to sell.
The Guard was also seen in the video that he kicked the girl.
Many netizens reacted to the viral video, criticizing the guard’s behavior and stating that he should not have acted that way.
