A security guard and a girl selling flowers near a mall went viral on social media after a netizen recorded their confrontation.
In the video, the security guard was seen trying to ask the girl, who was believed to be a student, to distance herself from the vicinity of the mall, as unauthorized selling and solicitations were not allowed around the establishment.
The discussion ended negatively, and the security guard could be seen destroying the flowers that the girl was selling.
The incident prompted SM Megamalls to dismiss the security guard and barred him from working in any mall branch.
Initially, netizens expressed their support for the girl, saying that SM Megamalls should give scholarships to the students.
However, some netizens who were often visiting SM Megamall and its vicinities believed that there was a possibility that the girl was only pretending to be a student.
Netizen Tristan Hernandez posted on his Facebook the resemblance of the student to the viral street dweller who was known for begging for alms around EDSA Ortigas.
“Muntik na ako maiyak lalo sa background na through the years hahaha
isa ka plang malaking modus sindikato daw hahaha. Tanda mo na pababe ka pa,” netizen Tristan said.
Other SM Megamall visitors also confirmed that there were people who pretend to be students so they could easily solicit money to mallgoers.
“Madalas kami sa Megamall. Madalas namin nakikita yung mga bata na yan na naka uniform kahit nga SUNDAY. Nakapag bigay na din kami sa kanila, may kasamahan pa yan na maliit na lalaking bata. Then nag-observe kami ‘yung mga magulang nila nasa sulok lang,” another netizen said.
Meanwhile, the PNP has already launched an investigation against the security guard.