San Juan LGU to probe hostage-taker's allegations vs security agency

The San Juan City Government said on Tuesday that it would look into the allegations of irregularity hostage-taker Alchie Paray made against his former security firm.

In Marisol Abdurahman's report on Balitanghali, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said he would personally investigate the alleged corruption at the Greenhills Shopping Center as other security guards could have similar complaints.

Paray, a dismissed security guard, held around 50 individuals hostage on Monday night.

After releasing the hostages, Paray faced the media and aired his grievances and the alleged unfair treatment he received from his former employer - the SASCOR Armor Security Agency. 

Negotiations

Zamora, meanwhile, defended the opportunity given Paray to speak to the public, explaining that the press conference was among the agreements arrived at during their hours-long negotiation.

"Inisip ko kasi, he is very agitated. All he wants is to release his feelings. So, sabi ko, pag ma-pacify ko 'to at maramdaman niya na totoo ang sinasabi ko na ligtas siya, makukuha ko 'to," Zamora said.

"Baka tanungin tayo ng tao, delikado pinabayaan ninyo may baril lumabas. Ang hindi rin alam ng lahat, meron na tayong mga snipers na ready, just in case," Zamora added. 

According to Zamora, three officials had participated in the negotiations.

When the first two negotiators failed,  Zamora, as the last option left to the crisis committee, faced and negotiated with Paray.

The mayor also confirmed that the four officials Paray had asked to resign had done so.

Zamora said that the resignations were not merely for show as the mayor himself had asked the concerned officials to resign for the safety of the hostages.

Paray was still being detained at a San Juan City Police Station while authorities were looking into the charges to be filed against him. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News