CEBU CITY -- Heroic act. That’s how some people, including the police, described the deed of a security guard who helped secure the area where huge wads of cash scattered after they flew out from the busted backpack of a collector of a money remittance company. After the incident, Dean Cueno, 39, admitted he somehow expected that he would get a commendation from his security agency. But much to Cueno’s chagrin, what he received was a suspension instead of commendation. “I received a memo suspending me for five days,” Cuenco said. Cueno said he was also told he was also set to receive a letter of termination. Cueno is the security guard at the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway who saw the money bills flew out from the backpack of John Mark Barrientos. Manila Bulletin is withholding the name of the security agency pending its comment on the issue. On Tuesday morning, July 4, Barrientos was supposed to transport a bag full of money to their office in Mandaue City. While Barrientos was driving a motorcycle at the South Road Properties, the bag’s zipper got destroyed, causing the money to spill out from the bag. Cueno said when he saw the incident, he rushed to the area and prevented some motorists from taking away the money bills. Cueno said he saw two motorcycle riders who tried to drive off after picking up some cash. “I told them to return the money because it was not theirs,” he said. Cueno also helped ensure that the traffic flow in the area would not be affected as several motorists stopped to check on what’s happening. Some motorists also scrambled to pick up some cash that scattered on the road. While some returned the money they got, some also drove off with cash. According to Police Major Bethooven Taneo, chief of the Mambaling Police Station, they learned that the security guard was meted with a suspension for abandoning his post and for using his phone during the incident. Although he was suspended, Cueno said did not regret what he did. “I have no regrets. I just laughed at them when they told me they were suspending me. I am happy that I was able to help. I reprimanded those who were picking up the money. I also stopped those who tried to escape with the money,” he said The bag contained about P4 million. Police are calling on the individuals who ran off with the money to return what they got as at least P1.2 million has yet to be retrieved, police said. Police are reviewing some video footage to identify the people who drove with the money. Taneo said they would file theft charges once those who did not return the money are identified. As to Cueno, Taneo said they will be giving a commendation for his role in the incident. “Security guards are force multipliers in law enforcement. He went beyond his duty as a security guard so he could help,” said Taneo. Taneo said because of Cueno, untoward incidents were prevented from happening. Taneo said he was also surprised that instead of commendation, what Cueno got from the security agency was a suspension. “It was not just legally right, what he did was morally right to help the person (collector). It was not an ordinary situation. It’s not everyday that you can see P4 million scattered on the ground,” Taneo said. Taneo said they will try to talk to the management of the security agency and resolve the issues involving Cueno. “First and foremost, we want to thank him (Cueno). He really made an effort to help. We will try to coordinate with the security agency and maybe there’s more impact if it us who will talk to them,” said Taneo.