Greenhills security officials resign as hostage situation continues

March 2, 2020

Almost eight hours of negotiations with a man holding 30 persons hostage Monday, officials of Greenhills Shopping Mall security management and the suspect’s security agency have apologized to him.

But Archie Paray, the ex-security guard, refused to surrender almost 10 hours since the incident happened at 10 am. 

The Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) said Paray has a firearm and four grenades.

In a press conference, the Greenhills Shopping Mall security management  asked for Paray's forgiveness so incident will end peacefully.

All the six officials of the Greenhills Shopping Mall also resigned and apologized to their management.

According to one of the officials, the suspect did not agree with the rotation schedule.

“We conduct rotation to stop familiarity within them,” the official said. They also denied removing him from his job.

But in a chance interview, Paray cried foul over the security official’s mismanagement and alleged corruption.

“I’ve been staying for almost two years and if you check on the logbook I was not rotated... Just admit that you are doing something for your own (good)... acting as iof you know anything ,” he said over a video call.

According to a police official, they requested Paray take in consideration one of his demands to make the security officials eat P2, 500.

Paray's other demand is to have a video call with other security guards and to have a time to talk to the media.

The suspect entered the V-Mall around 10am and held captive around 30 of the mall’s employees.

One of the mall’s security guard was wounded when the suspect shot him earlier.

Earlier, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said the security guard committed the crime after he was allegedly removed from his job.

Zamora said the suspect went AWOL (absent without leave) since last week.

Around 7 pm, Zamora talked to Paray and asked him to go out of the building.

“My request is you go out without firearm and grenades and we assure your safety,” he said.

“We already did our part so we hope you also do yours to end this peacefully,” he added.

Negotiations going on as of this posting. Ella Dionisio/DMS