LOCKDOWN. Security guards at the V-Mall in Greenhills, San Juan receive last-minute instructions as the mall goes on lockdown due to an ongoing hostage-taking incident. Initial reports say some 30 people are being held hostage by a former security guard. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)
MANILA – A mall employee was wounded after he was shot by a disgruntled former security guard in an ongoing hostage-taking incident in Greenhills, San Juan.
Police said former security guard Alchie Paray shot employee Ronald Velita who was rushed to the nearby Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
After Paray shot the victim, he went to the second floor of the administration building at the V-Mall Shopping Center and held some more or less 30 employees hostage.
Negotiation for the release of the hostages is ongoing.
Police said mall goers have been evacuated.
Capt. Georel Calipusan of San Juan City Police said the Greenhills area is on lockdown due to the ongoing hostage-taking which started at around 11:22 a.m.
"Bawal po pumasok sa area ng Greenhills po, buong entrance at exit ng Greenhills [It is now prohibited to enter the area of Greenhills, the entrance and exit of Greenhills]," he told reporters.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora advised the public to avoid the area.
In a statement, the Greenhills Center management said the suspect was a former Safeguard Armor Security Corporation security guard. The management said it is working closely with authorities.
"Our priority right now is to ensure the safety of the employees, and of the public," the statement read. (PNA)
