Gunman shoots 1, holding dozens hostage in Philippines

Police officers block the area outside Virra Mall, where gunshots were fired, in San Juan City, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on March 2, 2020. (Photo by Reuters)

A man was shot and about 30 people taken hostage on Monday by a gunman at a mall in the Philippine capital, Manila, where armed police and negotiators attempted to end the standoff peacefully.

The gunman, a former security guard at Virra Mall in Manila's San Juan City, shot a man as he entered its administration office and was holding an estimated 30 captives inside, according to city Mayor Francis Zamora.

A staff member at the mall's bazaar told Reuters that they were told by management to close their stalls. A SWAT team was seen entering the four-story mall, which has more than 100 shops. Shoppers were evacuated and a security cordon was established around it.

The gunman was sacked by the company that provides security for the mall and had tried to get other guards involved, Zamora said, adding that he was demanding to speak to his former colleagues by video call.

(Source: Reuters)


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