A gunman was on the loose at a casino complex in the Philippine capital on June 2, 2017 after firing an assault rifle in a gambling room, but nobody has been reported shot or taken hostage, the national police chief said. People ran screaming out of Resorts World Manila, which is across a road from one of the main terminals of the Philippines’ international airport, after the man fired what police chief Ronald dela Rosa said was an M4 assault. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS
(Eagle News) – At least 36 persons — mostly women — were found dead inside Resorts World in Manila following an arson attack by what police said was a lone gunman who burned himself to death.
The dead were reportedly found on the second floor of casino resort hotel. Initial reports said they died of suffocation and possibly because of a stampede.
Southern Police Director Police Senior Supt. Tomas Apolinario said the victims were mostly found on the second floor. Most of the dead were also women, found near the comfort room.
“May mga areas na mahirap pa pasukin because of the smoke and toxic fumes, but the building is now cleared,” Apolinario told CNN Philippines.
“Hindi ganoon kalaki ang apoy. But the smoke had a tremendous effect on the victims,” he said.
“I think nag-panic yung most of the victims,” he said.
Philippine National Police National Capital region chief Director Oscar Albayalde said there were 37 persons found dead inside the Resorts World Manila, including the lone gunman found inside a hotel room.
Albayalde said initial reports said that suffocation was the cause of death of the victims who were found in the casino area in the second floor.
“Yung sunog hindi masyadong malaki, pero yung usok, matindi. Yung usok, di lumalabas kasi kulob na kulob ito. So minabuti ng Bureau of Fire na basagin ang bintana,” Albayalde said as he explained that the inside of the casino was made of highly combustible material.
He insisted this was not a terrorist incident, but more of a “local peace and order situation” since the lone gunman appeared to have been deranged when he went inside the casino and set gambling tables on fire.
He also poured gasoline on carpets and set them on fire.
Possible suicide: Gunman had gunshot wound in the head
The gunman’s body was found at hotel Room 510, burned to death, but with a gunshot in the head. Police said he may have possibly shot himself after seeing his room on fire.
The bullet’s entry point was at his chin, and the exit point was on top of the head.
Albayalde urged families of the victims to go to the Pasay Police Station to identify the bodies.
“Pumunta na po sila sa Pasay Police office para ma-identify yung nasawi sa Resorts World,” he said.
Apolinario said they are still investigating if the gunman has other companions.
“But as of now, mukhang siya lang mag-isa ito,” he said.
Resorts world officials are helping the families of the victims.
“Pino-process pa po ngayon. We have established a processing center,” Apolinario.
Terrorism ruled out
He said that in the meantime, police was ruling out terrorism since initial reports of the investigation showed that the perpetrator was a lone gunman who was possibly deranged.
“Doon sa video, pagpasok sa parking, pagbaba niya ng sasakyan. Dala-dala baril niya at tuloy tuloy siya sa loob. Mukhang naplano kung ano ang gagawin niya,” he said.
“It’s just a lone criminal. If we can just check the state of his mind,” Apolinario said.
“It’s more of criminal and not terrorist (motive),” he added noting the backpack full of chips that the gunman took with him.
The gunman did not shoot anyone but disappeared into the chaos of smoke and running people, leading to a manhunt throughout the casino, hotel and shopping complex that ended just after dawn.
Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the man, who appeared to be acting alone, walked into one of the gambling rooms and fired the rifle at a large television screen, then poured gasoline onto a gambling table and set it alight.
He said the man then fired again at a stock room containing gambling chips and filled a backpack with them.
The man left the room and went upstairs to the hotel section, according to Dela Rosa.
The gunman allegedly tried to steal 113 million pesos ($2.3 million) worth of gambling chips.
