Police on Wednesday filed criminal charges against Alchie Paray, the former security guard who held hostage at least 30 people inside a popular shopping mall in San Juan City.
Charges of serious illegal detention, frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, and illegal possession of explosive and incendiary device were filed against Paray before the San Juan City prosecutors office.
Paray, who is now detained at the San Juan city police station, was responsible in the shooting of fellow security guard Ronald Velita and holding hostage at least 30 employees at the Greenhills Shopping Center inside the mall’s administration office for 10 hours last Monday.
Paray claimed that he shot and wounded Velita and held hostage the mall workers to air his grievances and expose what he described as anomalies and unfair treatment in the security agency he was working.
Reports also showed that Paray was offered P1 million by his superiors but he refused to accept it, saying he just want to voice out his displeasure on the malpractice of security officers at the mall.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila police director Debold Sinas clarified a controversial video footage showing a policeman (not wearing a uniform) who tried to pull out something from his pocket when authorities were trying to pin down Paray following his 20-minute conversation with members of the media.
Sinas said the policeman was just pulling out a handcuff from his pocket.
“He pulled out his handcuff and tried to give it to the arresting officers. It was his intuition to lend a hand to his fellow police officers who were apprehending the resistant suspect,” Sinas said.
Sinas issued the statement released by the National Capital Region Police Office after the video caught the attention of concerned netizens. He urged the public not to be misled and misinformed on the incident.
“We have no other intention that night but to pacify the crisis, to rescue the victims and apprehend the suspect safely,” Sinas said.