Resorts World says attacker was shot by its security officer

Published June 2, 2017 4:46pm

Updated June 2, 2017 6:22pm

A security officer of Resorts World Manila shot the gunman who attacked the casino-hotel
complex, Chief Operating Officer Stephen Reilly said Friday to dispel rumors of how the attacker
died.

"Testimonies of responding members of Resorts World Manila security team confirmed that we
were able to shoot and wound the gunman that attacked Resorts World Manila in the early
hours of June 2nd, 2017," Reilly said during a press briefing with at Remington Hotel within the
complex in Pasay City.

"Severe loss of blood from the gunshot wound significantly slowed down the assailant and
resulted in his holing up in a room where he took his own life," he added.

In a separate interview with reporters, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald
dela Rosa said the suspect was found dead after setting himself on fire.

Recovered from the suspect inside the room were a submachine gun and a short firearm, Dela
Rosa said.

Reilly earlier said security guards normally do not carry firearms inside the premises of Resorts
World Manila.

"For security lapses, we have an armed intruder who entered into the property. He fired his
firearm. He was in combat attire. Security inside the premises does not carry firearms, only on
the outside of the premises. They did not engage because it was seen that would escalate the
situation," Reilly said.

"Unfortunately the situation did escalate a bit further moving towards gating areas," he added.
The gunman was reported to have attempted to steal P113 million of poker chips. "There is an
investigation into an attempted robbery," Reilly noted.

The motive to the attack remains unclear.

"We are still investigating and trying to ascertain why somebody would be so senseless and
have such motive. That is still to be determined," he said.

The Resorts World executive recalled how the assailant entered the casino-hotel complex. "He
approached our security point at the mall in Newport, which leads to the casino, with his firearm
forward," Reilly said.

"He unloaded a number of shots. He was in military attire. The security guard who was at the
door for X-Ray screening tried to slow the assailant down, but was unfortunate could not do
so," he added.

Reilly thanked the Resorts World security team, the PNP, and the Bureau of Fire protection.

"We would like to extend our gratitude to our security team, particularly Mr. Bernanrd Cajigas,
who also sustained a gunshot wound, and Mr. Petronio Kinol Jr. We also commend the
Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection for their courage and efforts to
contain the incident," he said.

Reilly refuted some claims that two gunmen were involved.

"Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to refute claims circulating online that there were
two assailants involved in the incident. We reiterate that there was only one gunman involved in
this senseless attack," he said.

"On behalf of the victims' families and loved ones, we request everyone to refrain from
spreading hurtful speculation and false information," he added. Marlly Rome Bondoc/VDS,
GMA News

ISIS claims attack that left 37 dead in Manila casino

(CNN)Thirty-seven people have been killed in a Manila casino, 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.

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.

Despite ongoing ISIS-affiliated militant activity in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao,
authorities ruled out terrorism as the motive for the attack. However, late Friday, ISIS claimed
responsibility in a statement from its Amaq media wing, which said "Islamic State fighters" carried out
the attack.

Earlier, authorities said 35 bodies were found in the casino area in Resorts World Manila after a lone
gunman fired shots and set fire to gambling tables in the early hours of Friday morning.

Police told CNN Philippines that another two bodies were found in the hotel, although it was not
mentioned whether these were hotel guests or employees

Philippines police released images of the heavily armed suspect.

Philippines police released images of the heavily armed suspect.

Thick smoke from fires set by the suspect delayed a search of the building, but officers later discovered
them during clearing operations, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Oscar Albayalde
said.

All of the bodies were found in Resort World Manila's casino area, he 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.

Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde told reporters that police think it's likely the suspect was a foreigner.
"He looks Caucasian, he talks English, he's big and he's white, so he's probably a foreigner," he said.