Palace: Duterte ‘happy’ over handling of San Juan hostage-taking incident

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte was “happy” that only one person was hurt in the hostage-taking incident at a mall in San Juan City, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“He (Duterte) was happy that there was no casualty except for one. There was only one,” Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.

Panelo said Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año briefed the President during the Cabinet meeting Monday night about the hostage-taking done by a former security guard at the V-Mall in Greenhills.

Dozens of persons were held hostage by former security guard Alchie Paray inside the V-Mall in Greenhills Monday morning.

Paray shot a security guard on entering the mall, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said.

Panelo said the Palace welcomes the response made by local officials and by the city police as no one died in the incident.

“I understand there have been some criticisms. And [Philippine National Police chief] General [Archie] Gamboa said it was tactical. In other words, apparently the main concern is the safety of the 30 hostages and since they survived and they’re alive, I think we should welcome that,” Panelo said.

This, despite criticisms that Paray was allowed to hold a “press conference” after releasing the hostages. The “press conference” was a “tactical move” according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa.

“I do not know what transpired between the negotiator and the hostage-taker. That could be one of the terms that they agreed upon for his surrender. For as long as people are alive, we welcome,” Panelo said.

Paray was allowed to air his grievances against his former employers after releasing his hostages past 8 p.m. While speaking, Paray was pinned down by officers from the San Juan City police who also arrested him.

Edited by MUF