Security Theater

I know people complain about it in the States (I know because I'm one of them) . TSA confiscating explosive liquids over a certain volume. HS arbitrarily raising the terror alert. There are an increasing number of examples. But here, security theater is an art form.
There are two things you must understand:
1) In the Philippines security guards have fancy uniforms and badges that read "Philippine National Guard". I'm not sure but I think it's a company that named themselves that (or at least something similar enough to the real thing). Shear marketing genius!
2) The security guards most important tool is the log book. It doesn't matter what happens as long as it has been logged, timestamped, and signed.

Today I was carrying a $13,000 power supply out of the facility to do an outdoor test. I was stopped by a security guard
- "Excuse me sir, what is that?"
- "A power supply."
-"Okay, can you sign sir?"
And I swear the log book had dutifully markde and timestamped the following with a space following for my signiature:
7/11 14:38 Matthieu Reich leaves with power supply
Never mind that the power supply costs a fortune. Never mind that I could have gone anywhere with that power supply. Never mind that the power supply could just be the casing and inside are 14 karat gold bars I'm stealing (and yes, we do have some in stock as any good solar company should).

The interesting part is that this is not the story of just one security guard, there is an entire industry here built around providing in-security!

Mall security is a blast! You walk through a metal detector in a tin foil hat without a peep.
7/07 12:04 Unknown white guy walked into mall. I did not search his bag because he was white. My metal detecting baton didn't beep as I swiped it up and down as he walked past. Not sure if the batteries are working because he was carrying 3-4 coins, a large metal Leatherman, and a bag with several metal buckles.

Each time we leave the facility, the security guards at the gate open the trunk of the car, look in, close the trunk, and wave us through. You can bet that it was logged each time.
7/09 17:42 Matthieu Reich leaves the facility. In the trunk of the car was one bag (contents unknown because it's not my job to open bags). In the passenger seat was a laptop bag (again contents unknown). I hope there was nothing in either bag that he is stealing for industrial espionage, to sell on the black market, or to decorate his apartment.

Each time we get to the staff house a security guard opens the gate and waves us through. But I'm sure if we got robbed, the thief would get equal treatment: logged, timestamped and signed.
7/13 23:52 Unknown man in black jumpsuit and ski mask slips into downstairs window. Same man leaves 2 minutes later with TV in hand.

The crazy thing is that the lack of proper security guards doesn't make me feel unsafe in this country.* Quite the opposite!** It's as if the criminals are given no challenge so there is no incentive to pull of daring heists culminating in heart pounding freeway chases.

* How's that for a triple negative?
** Sweet! A quadruple negative!