A security guard at SM Megamall has been dismissed and barred from future assignments in any SM mall following a controversial incident involving a young girl selling sampaguita outside the Mandaluyong City establishment.

The incident, captured in a video that circulated widely on social media, showed the guard attempting to remove the girl, who was wearing her school uniform, from the steps outside the mall. When she refused to move, the guard tried to take her sampaguita garlands, damaging some in the process. The altercation escalated as the girl retaliated by hitting the guard with the remaining flowers, prompting the guard to move away and redirect his attention to another child vendor nearby.

SM Megamall released a statement expressing regret over the incident and condemning the guard’s actions, emphasizing their commitment to inclusivity. “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,” the statement read.

Netizens were divided in their reactions. Many criticized the guard’s actions, calling them excessive and inhumane, while others appealed for understanding, citing the difficult working conditions of security personnel. Calls for better training of security guards and assistance for the girl’s family also surfaced.

Sampaguita vendors are a common sight in urban areas of the Philippines, where poverty remains a significant challenge. According to a December 2024 survey by Social Weather Stations, 63% of Filipino families identified as poor—the highest rate in over two decades.

SM Megamall has not disclosed the timeline of the incident or the identity of the security guard involved.