Philippines V-Mall siege ends as ex-security guard surrenders, releases hostages
- Former guard at the commercial complex, identified by police as Archie Paray, left the mall with his hostages, who were secured by police
- The suspect was allowed to speak before reporters and authorities for several minutes to describe his grievances against his superiors
A recently dismissed security guard freed his hostages and walked out of a shopping centre in the Philippine capital on Monday, ending a day-long hostage crisis in an upscale commercial district near the police and military headquarters, officials said.
The former guard at the commercial complex, identified by police as Archie Paray, left the V-Mall in suburban San Juan city in metropolitan Manila with his hostages, who were secured by police.
The suspect was allowed to speak before reporters and authorities for several minutes to describe his grievances against his superiors, whom he accused of corruption and abuse, before police approached and subdued him.
“I’m very thankful that everything ended up peacefully,” said San Juan city Mayor Francis Zamora, who negotiated with the hostage-taker to give up his weapons and guaranteed his safety shortly before the crisis ended.
About 60 to 70 people were held hostage by Paray, he said.
