Iran Press/ Asia: The incident happened at the V-Mall in the San Juan area of the Philippine capital on Monday, as more than a dozen SWAT commandos were earlier seen entering the mall, their assault rifles ready. Other policemen stood by outside, along with an ambulance.
Police spokesperson Virgilio Timajo said hundreds of shoppers and employees were evacuated from the mall in Manila's Greenhills shopping district after gunfire was heard from the second floor.
Mayor of Manila's San Juan area, Francis Zamora of said the gunman shot one person at the V-Mall. Zamora said a negotiator was trying to talk to the gunman, a disgruntled former security guard at the shopping complex, inside a mall administration office.
"He felt bad because he was removed as a guard," Mr. Zamora told reporters, adding that the man tried but failed to convince fellow guards to join him.
"Right now, his demands are: First, he wants to talk to his fellow guards at the shopping mall, and second, he wants to face the media. But for now, we have a negotiator who is talking to him, and we have evacuated everyone at the shopping mall. So, the area is safe, the mall is already in lockdown," he said.
A statement provided by the mall's management said: "Our priority right now is to ensure the safety of the employees and of the public."
The shopping complex, popular for its restaurants, shops, bars, and a bazaar, lies near an up-market residential enclave, a golf club and the police and military headquarters in the bustling metropolis of more than 12 million people, where law and order have long been a concern.
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