Guard from popular mall dismissed after video showed mistreatment of young girl with sampaguita

A security guard from a shopping mall has been dismissed after being seen mistreating a young girl with sampaguita in a viral video.

The video, which has been reposted on different social media platforms, showed the girl, in a school uniform, sitting on the platform outside SM Megamall in Mandaluyong when the guard seemingly instructed her to go away.

He then grabbed the sampaguita she was holding and threw it on the ground.

The visibly agitated girl hit the guard, who blocked her attacks.

He was also seen kicking her left thigh and striking her in the body a few times.

Moments after the incident went viral, SM Megamall issued a statement, saying it had called the attention of the guard's security agency to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation.

"We regret and sympathize with the young girl who experienced an unfortunate incident outside our mall," it said.

The guard has been dismissed and will no longer be allowed to service SM malls.

"As SM Supermalls always promotes inclusivity for all, we strongly condemn this act committed against her," it added.