PHILLIP Ng wasn’t scared when a robber held a gun to his head.
The 42yearold St Albans man said he was more concerned for his fellow worker’s safety than his own when a gunwielding bandit stormed Zagames Hotel in Reservoir early last year.
Last Monday Mr Ng was awarded a Commendation for Brave Conduct award for his actions that day.
The father of three said he would not hesitate to do it all again for his fellow worker.
“I always worked with this security guard – we were always watching each other’s back,” Mr Ng said.
Mr Ng described the incident as dreadful and “very short”.
Early one January morning, a gunman wearing a balaclava rushed into the hotel’s gaming venue and threatened the security guard with a gun while demanding money.
“When I saw him (the offender) I just wanted to calm him down.
“We were always told to try and calm them down so we could get them out of the place as soon as possible.”
The two guards were forced into the cashier’s room to open a safe and hand over money.
But the greedy bandit demanded more money.
“He wanted me to open another safe while his gun was at my head,” MrNg said.
While he was opening the second safe, another security guard entered the room and the offender turned and pointed the gun toward the security guard.
Quickly, Mr Ng rushed toward the offender, wrestled him to the ground and kept him there until police arrived.
The brave man said he “did not want the security guard to get hurt.”
“I saw the security guy trying to get his gun; I thought I had to jump in and help the guard, otherwise we would both get killed,” he said.
But Mr Ng said he was no hero.
“I was not scared for my life at that time, but after I got the shakes,” he explained.
For the next three days Mr Ng was off work and attended counselling.
Mr Ng said he did not expect to be awarded for his efforts.
“I’m very happy and proud to be recognised,” he laughed.
He said it was important for people to keep their cool if they experienced similar risky situations.
Mr Ng advised robbery victims to “obey them, try to calm them down, give them the money as soon as possible and make them leave the premises”.
He declined to be photographed.
