Shoppers Run in Chaotic Scenes Outside Philippines Mall

A shopping mall in San Juan, Metro Manila, was locked down on March 2 after reports that a gunman had taken a number of hostages inside.

Local police said around 20 people had been taken hostage on the second floor of the mall, according to media reports. One person was reported to have been shot and was being treated in hospital.

Authorities at the mall issued a statement, saying: “We have confirmed reports of an ongoing incident in Greenhills, involving a hostage taking of some of our employees by a former SASCOR security guard. A fellow security guard was injured, but has already been brought to the hospital.”

Local media reported that the suspect demanded to speak directly to the media by video call from inside the mall. Credit: Rowena C. Sarip via Storyful