Thirty-seven people have been killed at Resorts World Manila following an attack in the early hours of Friday morning by a lone gunman who fired shots from an assault rifle and set fire to gambling tables, according to a report from CNN.
The victims, who did not appear to have been shot, are thought to have died of suffocation, Southern Police District Director Superintendent Tomas Apolinario said Friday. “Most of the victims were women who were found dead inside the bathroom,” he added.
Police told CNN Philippines that a further two bodies were found in the hotel, although it was not mentioned whether these were hotel guests or employees
Thick smoke from fires set by the suspect delayed a search of the building, but officers later discovered them during clearing operations.
All of the bodies were found in Resort World Manila’s casino area, police said. Of those killed, more than 20 were resort guests and 13 were staff. More than 70 people were injured. The gunman later killed himself.
According to security footage viewed by police, the gunman entered via the parking lot. Police later searched a car and found registration information, which they haven’t made public.
The attacker walked straight into the building, past a lone security guard who panicked when she saw the suspect’s automatic rifle, police told CNN. The report further stated that only guards on the complex’s perimeter are armed. Internal security officers don’t carry weapons and didn’t try to engage the suspect, fearing escalation of the situation, police added.
The man ransacked a room and stole gaming chips, police said. He had stuffed chips totaling US$2.3 million in a backpack, but this had been recovered by police.
Police also confirmed that during the incident the gunman had engaged in a “firefight” with casino employees.
Stephen Reilly, the resort’s COO, said the attacker was shot and wounded by security guards, and retreated into the hotel room where he eventually killed himself.