Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5) — The House Committee on Labor and Employment will conduct an inquiry next week on the labor-related complaints raised by the former security guard who held dozens of people hostage in a popular Greenhills mall.
Committee chair and 1PACMAN Party-list Rep. Eric Pineda said that the former guard, Alchie Paray, might have “compelling reasons” for resorting to his drastic act.
“I do not condone his actions – endangering lives and violating public order and safety laws. However, there may have been compelling reasons as to why Mr. Paray took such desperate actions, and it’s a matter we should look into,” said Pineda in a statement.
The inquiry is scheduled for March 10.
Charges of frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearm, and serious illegal detention cases have been filed against Paray after he shot a coworker in V-Mall and later held 55 people hostage for several hours.
Paray said he was fired after going on absence without leave for weeks
Pineda, explaining said that it is part of the chamber’s power to look into the welfare of workers.
“How can we expect a security guard to perform his task to secure the safety of the areas assigned to him if he himself does not feel secured in terms of his employment? I find it ironic and unacceptable,” he said.
He added, “Mr. Paray never demanded money. His demand was that he wanted to be heard and explain his side. He claimed incompetence, negligence, and corruption.”
