Security Alert US Embassy Manila

[roddavis]

Security alert for Greens Hill, San Juan. Not sure whats going on,thought I would let you know.....

 

 

United States Embassy Manila, Philippines

 

 

Security Alert - U.S. Embassy Manila (March 2, 2020)

 

Location:  Virra Mall, Greenhills, San Juan City, Philippines

 

Event: 

Ongoing Security Incident in Virra Mall, Greenhills, San Juan City, Philippines

Actions to Take:

• Avoid the area.
• Monitor local media for updates.
• If you are in the area, notify friends and family of your safety.

 

Assistance:

·        U.S. Embassy in the Philippines
+63 (2) 5301-2000

·         ACSInfoManila@state.gov

·         State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

·         Philippines Country Information

·         Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates

·         Follow us on Twitter

[hk blues]

North Korea launched 2 missiles this morning - no idea if any connection

[Tukaram (Tim)]

Rappler had a story about Greenhills. Ex-security guard took 30 hostages at the mall.

Quote

Dozens held hostage at Greenhills mall, ex-guard armed with gun, grenades

(6th UPDATE) The suspect is a former security guard provided by the Safeguard Armor Security Corporation or SASCOR

LOCKDOWN. Vira Mall in Greenhills, San Juan, has been locked down as an armed former security guard hold hostage about 30 persons, mostly vendors, on March 2, 2020. All photos by Maria Tan/Rappler

 

MANILA, Philippines (6th UPDATE) – A security guard fired from work is holding dozens of hostages at a mall in Greenhills, San Juan, as of posting.

The suspect has one of the guards on duty. The victim is being treated at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center and is in "stable condition," according to Mayor Francis Zamora.

Zamora, quoting the police, said about 30 people are being held hostage inside the administration office at the second floor of Virra Mall by a former guard.

Most of the hostages are mall vendors, while the suspect was a guard that had gone on absence without leave for two weeks.

SAN JUAN Mayor Francis Zamora (in barong) is in the area to coordinate with the police.

 

Virra Mall has been placed on lockdown. Zamora is asking the public to avoid the area.

The mayor said police have confirmed that the suspect is in possession of a gun and grenades.

The negotiation, led by the San Juan police, is ongoing.

Zamora said the hostage-taker is demanding an audience with fellow guards and the media. He suspects that the demand is related to him being fired.

The mayor declined to disclose the name of the hostage-taker.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page Monday, the Greenhills Center Management confirmed the ongoing incident, and said some of the hostages are employees.

It said the hostage taker is a former employee of the Safeguard Armor Security Corporation or SASCOR.

“A fellow security guard was injured, but has already been brought to the hospital. Our priority right now is to ensure the safety of the employees, and of the public,” the statement read.

The mall management is working closely wih the authorities.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates. – Rappler.com

https://www.rappler.com/nation/253146-hostage-situation-greenhills-mall-march-2-2020

 

 

Edited March 2, 2020 by Tukaram (Tim)

[Mike J]

Looks like it has ended.  Apparently the suspect wanted to expose corruption by his employer.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/728087/greenhills-management-vows-to-avoid-repeat-of-hostage-crisis/story/

The management of Greenhills Mall vowed on Monday night to avoid a repeat of the hostage crisis where 30 mall employees were kept captive by a dismissed security guard with grievances against the mall and security agency authorities.

In a statement, the mall management said they will conduct a post-incident assessment with the police.

The almost 11-hour ordeal ended with the release of the hostages when the suspect, Archie Paray, was subdued after speaking to the media about his grievances.

Talking to the media after his surrender, Paray alleged corrupt practices among security agency officials.

“Management will also look into the allegations made by the hostage-taker against security agency officials who allegedly take bribes from tenants to disregard shopping mall policies,” the Greenhills Mall statement read.

The mall administration added that they are working to resume normal shopping mall operations following the incident.

“Management will share more information as we get them. We ask the public to avoid sharing online unconfirmed information and refer to authorities.”

[TimL]

That’s one hell of a way to expose corruption. 🙄

[Arizona Kid]

6 hours ago, TimL said:

That’s one hell of a way to expose corruption. 🙄

Maybe that's the only way that the individual could think of to prove his point? Sadly he pays the price. And his point is lost, while the corruption continues unabated. 

[Arizona Kid]

On 3/2/2020 at 4:11 PM, hk blues said:

North Korea launched 2 missiles this morning - no idea if any connection

Yawn..It would be like the US launching cruise missiles against Kim, aiming Roman Candles back at us.  

[Tukaram (Tim)]

 

There could be some corruption in the company, but he was fired for job abandonment (awol, for weeks they said).  So he really just comes across as a disgruntled ex-employee. Taking hostages and shooting a co-worker don't help his PR.

[hk blues]

19 hours ago, Arizona Kid said:

Yawn..It would be like the US launching cruise missiles against Kim, aiming Roman Candles back at us.  

I did not make my comment based on anything other than suggesting a possible reason for the security alert.  

[Arizona Kid]

3 hours ago, hk blues said:

I did not make my comment based on anything other than suggesting a possible reason for the security alert.  

A very good comment indeed. I was only suggesting other possible reasons. Maybe to someone to lift some of the sanctions?

Edited March 5, 2020 by Arizona Kid
more info