MANILA (Philippines) - POLICE subdued and arrested a man who allegedly took a pregnant woman hostage in a fast-food restaurant south of Manila for nearly four tense hours on Thursday.

The man and his victim were unhurt, but a security guard was wounded in the foot and arm when the hostage-taker grabbed his gun and shot him, said Police Officer Wilfredo Reyes.

Mr Reyes said the alleged assailant, Anthony Navarro, went inside the Jollibee restaurant in Binan township with two other men and seized the guard's weapon apparently in an attempt to rob the restaurant and its customers.

The guard fled but Navarro chased and shot him, causing people inside the restaurant to scamper in panic. The arrival of police prompted Navarro's two accomplices to flee, Mr Reyes said.

Cornered by police, Navarro grabbed his hostage and hid in the restroom for nearly four hours, issuing several demands including that he talk to an official. When the official arrived, Navarro opened the door and police swooped in on him, Mr Reyes said. -- AP