Most of the dead suffocated in thick toxic smoke after the man set fire to casino tables, the BBC reported. The gunman, whose nationality is not yet known, began shooting in the casino in Resorts World Manila in the early hours of Friday morning.
Hundreds of guests and employees were rushed out of one of the hotels after the gunman opened fire on the second floor. Resorts World Manila was in lockdown after the incident.
Authorities were quick to play down the idea of a terrorist attack, saying the motive appeared to be a robbery. The man filled a backpack with gambling chips worth US$ 2.3 million, but left the bag behind as he fled the scene.
Philippines police chief Ronald dela Rosa said a lone gunman had entered the gaming area at Resorts World, fired at a television and set some gambling tables on fire. Gunshots were fired, he said, but were not aimed at people in the room.
"We cannot say this is an act of terror... he [the gunman] did not hurt anyone," the police chief said. "If you are a terrorist you will sow terror."
Resorts World Manila spokesman and COO Stephen Reilly said: "We are searching the area as much as we can to make sure it is clear. At the moment we only know of one suspect. His affiliation, his identity is not known at this time,” he added.
Source: GMB / AG Brief
