Policemen are deployed outside the V-mall as they respond to a hostage-taking and shooting incident in San Juan city, Metro Manila, the Philippines on March 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
One was shot and around 30 hostages were hijacked by a gunman at a shopping mall in Manila, the Philippines.
MANILA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- A gunman took around 30 hostages at a shopping mall in the San Juan City of Metro Manila and one person was shot, a government official said on Monday.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said a former security guard of the V-Mall, with firearms, held hostage up to 30 employees of the sprawling mall.
"We are currently negotiating with the hostage-taker," Zamora said.
Zamora said the gunman shot and injured one person. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, he added.
Initial news reports said the attack happened around 10 a.m. local time and is still ongoing. Entry to the mall was sealed and police asked mall-goers to stay away from the mall.■
