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Vol. 4. No. 5 June 2005
Sigma Security Celebrates its 25th Anniversary
by ELBasilio
Sigma Security Services, Incorporated (SSSI) - the security services affiliate
of JAKA Investments Corporation, added another milestone in its colorful
corporate history when it recently celebrated its 25th founding anniversary.
Established in February 16, 1980, the mandate given to the newly-created
security affiliate was to provide installation and perimeter security
to JAKA’s remote timber concessions, industrial tree plantations
and agricultural projects. With the initial success of Sigma in securing
the company’s operations in Quezon, Samar and Basilan, the security
agency’s responsibilities were expanded to include not only that
of JAKA’s factories and warehouses, but also its offices and residential
developments. In no time at all, Sigma evolved to become the exclusive
security service provider for the whole JAKA Group of Companies.
Throughout its 25 years of existence, Sigma Security has built an enviable
reputation in the industry of being able to deploy well-disciplined and
highly-trained security guards and protection officers. It was therefore
no surprise when the company started to expand its security umbrella to
include that of third party accounts. Just recently, a wholly-owned training
academy for security guards and protection officers was established by
Sigma at their training facility in Splendido Taal - the Sigma Institute
for Security and Protection Training, Incorporated (SISPTI).
To commemorate its anniversary, SSSI hosted the 1st Sigma Security Three-Gun
Challenge, an International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) Level
II practical shooting competition sanctioned by the Philippine Practical
Shooting Association (PPSA). The competition – which was held at
the Tierra del Fuego Firing Range, the firearm training facility of the
SISPTI, involved a six-stage handgun match, a six-stage rifle match and
a two-stage shotgun match. This was the first time in the history of local
practical shooting that not only a Level II rifle match was held, but
also a three gun competition involving handguns, rifles and shotguns.
The original concept for the “blue guard challenge” as envisioned
by Capt. Greg Panelo was for a two-gun practical sport shooting match
among security guards – a Level I revolver and a Level I shotgun
match while in complete security guard uniform and using duty rigs and
issued weapons. Even the stage scenarios should be based from the different
duty stations that these security guards were assigned to.
Like most good ideas, the project snowballed. Courses of fire were designed
with names like “Warehouse Boogie”, “Forced Withdrawal”,
“Carpark Rumble”, “Off Duty” and “Jailhouse
Rock”. All courses of fire were adapted from situations where security
guards may find themselves in. The more notable of the handgun courses
engaged that weekend were “Warehouse Boogie” and “Forced
Withdrawal”, scenarios that simulated a warehouse break-in and a
bank robbery. Shooters apparently enjoyed the “Back Street Boys”,
a field course simulating a hair-raising walkover of a seedy back street
of a major city. Unanimously voted as the most challenging stage however,
was a short course called “Checkpoint Charlie” where over
80% of the shooters scored a zero. “Whoever thought of placing no-shoot
targets immediately behind poppers on a strong-hand only course at fifteen
to twenty meters must really be a sadist,” shooters complained lightheartedly.
The shotgun match was admittedly a bit of a letdown though – not
enough stages, most shotgunners commented. While the courses of fire were
interesting enough, simulating a home invasion and an armored car hijacking,
a few more stages would have made the match much more exciting. “We
did note that the shotgun match was not as well appreciated,” said
Captain Panelo. “Unfortunately, not much could be done as the handgun
and rifle matches took most of the available bays in the range. What we
intend to do next time in order to provide shotgunners with a venue to
participate in a full-blown competition is to design an all-steel course
of fire that may be engaged using either a handgun or a shotgun. That
way we can run both a handgun and a shotgun match without stretching too
much our available resources.”
More used to long distance shots, riflemen were treated to a good mix
of courses of fire designed by Anton Lorenzo of the PPSA for the match.
“There were long distance field courses interspersed with quick
and dirty rifle CQB courses,” said Anton. The beauty of the firing
range is that we can simultaneously conduct short courses such as “Campo
Fuego” and “The Bus” with field courses like “Long
Shot” that played havoc on the rifle’s zero.
“The Sigma Three-Gun Challenge was a resounding success,”
said Capt. Panelo. “And we intend to make the competition an annual
event to commemorate the anniversary of the company. Hopefully, we will
continue to enjoy the support and cooperation of the local practical shooting
community in future competitions.”
Tropical Secrets
by DSMarabillon
TROPICAL SECRETS Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) kicked off its first major brand
awareness campaign in selected Bus Terminal in the Metropolis. It was
held last March 19, 20, & 23, 2005 to address the surge of people
going home in the provinces for the Lenten season. The VCO promo girls
conducted leafleting, product demonstration, product orientation and selling
activities in the following Victory Liner terminals – Caloocan,
Cubao, Kamias and Pasay.
A total of 5,000 flyers were deployed to the public during the said event
to orient them of the health benefits that VCO can provide. TROPICAL SECRETS
Virgin Coconut Oil helps prevent heart disease, lowers cholesterol level,
boost resistance and increases body metabolism to help maintain your ideal
body weight. Made from fresh coconut meat and naturally processed, this
purest form of coconut oil is totally free of chemicals and additives.
Tropical Secrets Virgin Coconut Oil is use as nutritional supplement,
also for cooking, baking and salad dressing. For therapeutic purposes,
3-4 tablespoons a day is recommended. Tropical Secrets is available in
200ml. Tropical Secrets is manufactured by Pacific Royal Basic Foods Inc.,
distributed by JAKA Distribution, Inc., and available in leading supermarkets
nationwide.
Sigma Shooters shine in PPSA sanctioned matches
by MMMarin
Representing the Tierra del Fuego Shooting Club, Sigma Security Officers
Capt. Greg Panelo and Security Supervisor Mike Micabani out-shot participating
range officers in the Summer Heat 2005 Invitational Shooting Competition
hosted by the 580th Air Control and Warning Wing Gun Club at the Wallace
Air Base in San Fernando, La Union last May 7 to 8, 2005.
The practical sport shooting competition was an IPSC (International Practical
Shooting Confederation) Level I Handgun Match sanctioned by the PPSA (Philippine
Practical Shooting Association).
Mike Micabani was declared the Range Officer’s Match Champion for
the Standard Division, while Capt. Greg Panelo took 2nd Runner-Up for
RO Match Single Stack Division.
The other security officers of Sigma Security Services that has been
making good in the local practical shooting competitions are the father
and son team of Cesar and Clark Dacoco, both of whom are based in Butuan,
Surigao del Sur.
Tierra del Fuego hosts Range Officer Seminar
by MMMarin
The Tierra del Fuego Shooting Club in coordination with the National Range
Officers Institute (NROI) of the Philippine Practical Shooting Association
(PPSA) conducted a Level I Range Officer Seminar (handgun matches) last
April 20 to 21 at the training room of the Sigma Training Institute. The
seminar was conducted by NROI Range Master Roman Gonzaga Jr. and assisted
by Chief Range Officer Joaquin Tan.
The range officer seminar was attended by certain members of the Tierra
del Fuego Shooting Club, including protection officers of Sigma VIP Security
and JIC Security Force. “Our objective in conducting this seminar
is to further enhance our internal capability to host practical sport
shooting competitions both as a revenue-generating measure for our firing
range, as well as in the conduct of firearm training programs by our security
training institute,” said Captain Greg Panelo, JAKA’s Chief
Security Officer.
All practical shooting competitions sanctioned by the PPSA have to be
officiated by qualified range officers of the NROI. In a Level I match
consisting of two to four courses of fire, two or three Range Officers
are required to manage a particular course of fire or stage. These range
officers are responsible for issuing the corresponding range commands,
overseeing competitor compliance with the written stage briefing and closely
monitors safe competitor action. The most experienced of these range officers
are designated as the Chief Range Officer, who is the primary authority
over the course of fire under his control.
Exercising authority over the Chief Range Officers is the Range Master,
who has overall authority over all persons and activities in the firing
range. Other match officials include the Stats Officer who is responsible
for collecting and collating the score sheets from the different stages
and the Quarter Master who distributes, repairs and maintains all range
supplies and equipment.
“Aside from myself, there are only five other security officers
and gun club members who are trained by the NROI as qualified range officers
– Romy “Master” Quitoriano, Mike Micabani and Jimmy
Villa in Manila and the father-and-son tandem of Cesar and Clark Dacoco
in Butuan,” said Capt. Panelo. “With the conduct of the range
office seminar, other gun club members are now qualified to officiate
in competitions to be hosted by the gun club.”
The Tierra del Fuego gun club members that successfully completed the
NROI seminar included Sonny Marin and Erwin Basilio of Strat Cell, and
protection officers Vic Agaloos Jr., Mario Mediavillo, George Villena,
Ernesto Bustarga and Noriel Pacleb.
Sigma Guards show the way!
by MMMarin
The Men in Blue – these courteous front liners of JIC’s security
affiliate have lately been in the limelight because of certain initiatives
that not only endeared them to our principals, but also brought honor
and recognition to the security agency that they work for. Nothing earth-shaking
or dramatic, just random acts of courage, dedication to duty and more
importantly, malasakit sa kumpanya.
A case in point would be Mr. Lamberto P. Lopena, a security officer assigned
in Casilayan Softwood Development Corporation in San Luis, Agusan del
Sur. On his own accord, Mr. Lopena wrote to our President and Chief Executive
Officer, suggesting that all employees should patronize the company’s
products and services as their own way of support the company during these
times of economic hardships. Mr. Lopena suggested that an information
drive be implemented by the company to familiarize the employees with
all the products and services being offered by JAKA, and to patronize
the same for their own use. Ms. Katrina Ponce Enrile was so touched by
the malasakit shown by Mr. Lopena to the company, and wrote back to the
security officer to commend him for thinking of ways and means to help
the company get back on its feet.
By reaching out of his own circle of responsibility, Mr. Lopena has shown
all of us a shining example of how each one of us can make a difference
for our company.
Another way of helping the company is by simply doing what we are supposed
to do. In the foregoing cases, security officers of Sigma brought honor
and recognition not only to the company, but to the whole JAKA group.
Their alertness and courage helped establish the high level of service
and dedication to duty that Sigma is fast getting known for in the industry.
Case No. 1: The Hygienic Shoplifter – sometime around midnight
of March 24, 2005, Assistant-in-Charge of Security Mario Mediavillo who
was detailed at the JAKA Center was doing his rounds in front of the company’s
head office when he noticed from outside the Mini Stop convenience store,
a suspicious-looking person loitering inside the store. Further observation
revealed that while supposedly browsing through the shop’s display
racks, the person was actually pocketing certain items on display.
Mediavillo, who recently completed his training one of Sigma’s
VIP security, alerted his fellow security guards Miranda Norberto and
Gregorio Tolentino. They waited for the suspect to get out of the convenience
store before accosting him of his wrong-doing. Recovered from the suspect
were several personal hygiene products such as sachets of soaps, shampoos,
conditioners and deodorants. Nagmalinis pa! The shoplifter was subsequently
turned over to the police and the convenience store franchise owner informed
of the incident.
Case No. 2: The Drug Lab – its was also late March when a fire
alarm was raised in Burgundy West Tower, a residential condominium being
secured by Sigma Security Services. Heavy smoke was reported to be coming
out of one of the residential units, and Sigma Security Duty In-Charge
and Acting Detachment Commander Bernardo Arante went up to the said unit
to investigate. With a representative of Burgundy West by his side, Arante
opened the door to the residential unit, and found out that the smoke
was coming from an unknown substance being cooked unattended in a stainless
casserole over an electric stove. When the stove was turned off and the
smoke subsequently subsided, Arante noticed a stack of suspicious-looking
substances neatly packed in plastic bags. Correctly suspecting that they
had stumbled on a illegal drug lab, Arante immediately called Captain
Greg Panelo to report the incident.
Upon receiving the report, Captain Panelo dispatched his senior security
supervisors, Mike Micabani and Jimmy Villa to verify the report and to
secure the area. Upon confirming the existence of the lab, Captain Panelo
order the two to augment the security in the Burgundy Tower and to seal
the area. Captain Panelo subsequently reported the matter to the law enforcement
agencies. The result – a highly publicized bust on a drug laboratory
where the security personnel of Sigma Security Services were commended
by Western Police District Director Pedro Bulaong, PNP ASEC Director General
Caisip and DILG Secretary Angelo Reyes.
Candaraman
by ELBasilio
During the height of the summer heat last April 24 to May 1, 2005 when
temperatures reached scorching levels, the Corporate Strategic Cell led
a group of scuba divers and photojournalists to JAKA’s Southern
Palawan properties of Candaraman and Punagis Point in order conduct an
underwater survey of the island’s coral reef system and to come
up with a photo gallery of the said island properties. The expedition
was the end-result of six weeks of planning and preparation where Strat
Cell – in coordination with JAKA’s Property Manager for Southern
Palawan, Mr. Ike Padong, had to anticipate all the logistical requirements
for the week-long stay in what was practically an uninhabited island.
Not only were tents and sleeping bags required, but provisions for food
had to be assembled and shipped to Puerto Princessa in Palawan. Not to
mention the other requirements such as photo shoot props, diving gear
and underwater cameras and video equipment.
From Puerto Princessa, the group had to ride in a convoy of three transport
vehicles that took the five-hour overland trip from Puerto Princessa to
the mining town of Rio Tuba at Palawan’s southernmost tip. From
Rio Tuba, it took another three hours by motorized launch before the group
first viewed Candaraman Island. Was all the effort worth the visit? Well,
see for yourself!
JAKA Sports Fest : Drive for 2005
by DSMarabillon
The highly anticipated JAKA Sports Fest 2005 was successfully launched
last May 18 at Superbowl, Makati Cinema Square. It was officially opened
with a heart-warming speech by Ms. Josephine M. Agbayani, AVP of MIS.
It is the intention of the management to provide this activity not only
to promote the spirit of camaraderie and team work, and for the employees
to have fun, but above it all, for JAKA employees to have that drive to
meet all the challenges for this year.
This year’s Sports Fest is composed of four teams consisting of
25 players drafted from various JAKA Center based affiliate companies,
spear headed by team captains: Jose Marie Berdos (RED Team), Carolina
Agero (GREEN Team), Julio Sibal (WHITE Team), and Erna Bolos (BLUE Team).
The teams will battle each other in four tournament events namely: bowling,
volleyball, table tennis and darts. As to date, Julio Sibal’s WHITE
Team is leading the volleyball tournament, enjoying 2 wins and 0 loses.
Sharing at the second spot are RED and BLUE Teams. While GREEN Team still
has its gloves up, vowing to take its revenge and win its next face off
against BLUE Team.
On the other hand, the teams had a pretty close fight in the bowling
tournament. This time, Ms. Erna Bolos’ BLUE Team is taking the front
wheel with a total of 3512 pin falls. Not far behind is WHITE team with
a score of 3368 pin falls. While RED Team is in danger of being overtaken
and is working its best to keep GREEN Team at bay. RED Team has a total
of 3277 pin falls and GREEN Team is closely keeping pressure at its tail
with a score of 3022 pin falls.
Will WHITE Team and BLUE Team be able to maintain their lead in the volleyball
and bowling tournaments? Or will GREEN Team be able to regain back and
rise above the ashes? Surely, this June will be filled with more electrifying
events as the teams set up their new game plans to get a shot at the title.
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