Serious security lapses contributed to the deaths of 37 people when an assailant barged inside Resorts World Manila, fired shots, and set fire to furniture and others, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. said Friday.
As such, Pagcor said it had suspended the casino and gaming license of Travellers International Hotel Group, owner and operator of RWM.
“The said suspension will remain until RWM rectifies its serious security lapses and deficiencies – which caused not only the loss of lives and damaged properties – but also placed the Philippine gaming, tourism and hospitality industries in bad light,” the statement said.
The armed attacker, identified by police as gambling addict Jessie Javier Carlos, entered the casino and hotel complex on June 2 with an M4 automatic rifle and a bottle of petrol.
Carlos set alight gambling tables and other furniture in the complex, claiming the lives of 37 people who police said died of suffocation after becoming trapped in the fires.
More than 70 were injured in a stampede to escape.
Carlos, 43, was found dead about five hours after initially entering the casino in a hotel room that was part of the complex.
Police said he committed suicide by setting fire to himself.
Pagcor’s announcement comes after lawmakers from the House of Representatives slammed the casino management for alleged lax security at the complex and questioned the competence of its security chief.
A widely circulated security video which was also shown at the House inquiry this week showed the armed attacker easily gaining entry into the complex.
The attack in RWM happened as security forces were battling Islamist militants who had seized parts of Marawi.
But police reiterated Carlos was not a terrorist, but a deranged gambling addict.
Carlos’ parents have already spoken to the media to confirm he was a gambling addict and ask for forgiveness.
Resorts World spokespersons were unavailable for comment on Friday afternoon. (Agence France Presse)