Mandaue City Security Guards Exhibit Exemplary Honesty by Returning Nearly P1 Million in Cash
In a remarkable display of integrity and professionalism, building guards from the Civil City Security Unit assigned at the Mandaue City Sports Complex have been praised for safely returning a body bag containing nearly P1 million in cash and several checks. The incident occurred on January 8, 2026, when the bag was discovered unattended inside the facility, which was being used as a venue for Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) transactions.
Discovery During Routine Inspection
According to building guard Renaldo Gerra, the bag was found around 5:10 p.m. while he and his fellow guards were conducting a routine roving inspection. Gerra noted that the area had started to quiet down as BPLO personnel were preparing to pack up after a busy day of processing business permits. The bag appeared abandoned, prompting the guards to check it as part of standard security procedures.
Upon opening the bag, they were immediately surprised by the substantial amount of money inside. Gerra explained that the owner later clarified he had two belt bags and had removed one while signing documents and paying fees. The bag was temporarily placed on a bench, but he accidentally forgot to retrieve it afterward. "He said he placed the bag on the bench because he was signing documents and making payments. He forgot to take it back after finishing," Gerra recounted.
Immediate Action and Security Measures
Due to the large sum of cash involved, Gerra and his colleagues decided not to leave the bag unattended. Instead, they brought it to their office to ensure its safety. Gerra emphasized that he immediately informed their superiors about the discovery. "We decided to bring it to the office to make sure it was properly secured. I immediately called the office to report that we had found a bag containing a large amount of money," he said.
Another guard, Dennis Mahilum, highlighted their commitment to duty as public servants in handling the situation. "This is really part of our duty as public servants. Whatever our job is, we do it properly and we do not do anything wrong," Mahilum stated. He admitted feeling alarmed upon seeing the money, which led them to double-check the contents and notify their head promptly.
Verification and Safe Return
Mahilum explained that they did not attempt to contact the owner initially because they lacked information about his address or identity. Instead, they focused on securing the bag and waiting for the rightful owner to return. The owner later arrived at the sports complex on his own to claim the bag, expressing surprise that it was still there. "We were not able to contact him because we did not know his address. He returned because he suspected that he might have left the bag here," Mahilum said.
Before releasing the bag, the guards strictly followed verification procedures by asking the owner to present identification and confirm ownership of the bag and its contents, in accordance with Civil City Security Unit protocols. "I asked him for an ID and confirmed that the bag and its contents really belonged to him," Mahilum added.
The bag contained bundled cash in denominations of P1,000, P500, P100, and P50, along with several checks, totaling almost P1 million. Mahilum noted that the owner is a collector, and the money did not belong to him personally. The body bag was successfully returned to its owner around 6 p.m., with all contents intact, showcasing the guards' unwavering dedication to their responsibilities.
