MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – Alchie Paray, 40, the former security guard who took around 30 hostages at V-Mall in the Greenhills Shopping Center, was arrested on Monday evening, March 2. 

After setting his hostages free, he took the microphone and went on a 20-minute monologue against his bosses’ alleged unfair treatment of him and his fellow guards. 

At the end of his address, Paray addressed San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, asking him whether he (Paray) would end up in prison or in the cemetery. 

Zamora stalled, before around 5 cops tackled the suspect to the ground, causing a quick panic.  

The cops spotted a pistol on Paray’s waist. 

Part of the agreement in the negotiations between the hostage and the cops was for him to leave behind his weapons in the office where he held his hostages since past 11 am. Paray had a gun and grenades when he took the hostages. 

After his arrest, Paray was escorted away by National Capitol Region policemen. 

Before this, Rappler had listed at least 14 hostage-taking incidents in the past 31 years. (READ: LIST: Hostage-taking incidents in the Philippines)

Debriefing for hostages 

In statement sent to the media after the suspect’s arrest, the Greenhills Center Management said the hostages were turned over to the police for debriefing.

“Management continues to cooperate with authorities and will have a post-incident assessment with the police to avoid a repeat of this unfortunate situation,” the statement said. 

“Management will also look into allegations made by the hostage taker against security agency officials who allegedly take bribes from tenants to disregard shopping mall policies,” it added. – Rappler.com