Around 30 people held hostage in Philippines; one person shot

Around 30 people are being held hostage in a mall in Greenhills Shopping Complex in San Juan City in the Philippines, reports the police.

According to a statement from the mall, the man who went on a shooting rampage is a former Safeguard Armor Security Corporation security guard who lost his job at the V-Mall at Greenhills. One fellow security guard was injured and sent to the hospital.

Mayor of the San Juan district Francis Zamora told local television that the mall has been sealed off, and the shoppers were safely evacuated.

"We are currently negotiating with this person," the mayor said.

Police were deployed to the scene after the Eastern Police District Tactical Operations Center received a report of a shooting.

(CGTN)