Resorts World Manila official admits security personnel did not engage

An official of Resorts World Manila on Friday admitted that their security personnel did not engage the lone gunman who stormed into the hotel casino's premises and set fire to the gaming tables, killing over 30 people.

At a press briefing, Resorts World Manila Chief Operating Officer Stephen Reilly said security personnel inside the premises normally do not carry firearms while those outside, who are armed, did not engage the lone gunman so as not to "escalate the situation."

"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 do 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.

This is a sad day for Resorts World Manila... pic.twitter.com/qjnOIMVSZR

— Resorts World Manila (@rwmanila) June 2, 2017

Reilly said 35 died due to smoke inhalation — 22 guests and 13 employees. Police, however, said 37 were killed, including the lone gunman, reportedly a foreigner, who set himself on fire.

Reilly said they cannot disclose yet the identities of the victims as they are still waiting for the confirmation of the Scene of Crime Operatives (SOCO).

"We cannot release information on the identities of the victims at this time, as we are waiting SOCO's final confirmation," he said. "We shall be informing the next of kin as soon as the information is officially confirmed and released to us by SOCO."

Police said most of the bodies were recovered from the second floor of Resorts World Manila where its casino is located.

Meanwhile, Reilly assured the victims and their families that they will be extending assistance to them. "We'll be extending all the assistance we possibly can to the victims and their families," he said.

He also appealed to the public for consideration and prayers.

"Again, we appeal for your understanding and consideration. The company mourns with the families. We are committed to extend full support and assistance to the injured and the families of the deceased," Reilly said.

"This unexpected violent act on innocent lives will not the break the spirit of which Resort's World Manila was built. We ask you for your prayers during this dark hours," he added.

Asked on whether there was a problem on Resorts World Manila's fire safety measures, Reilly said their equipment worked well during the incident, noting that it was the smoke that aggravated the situation.

"For the fire safety, our fire equipment worked as it should do. Our sprinkler system activated, the issue we actually had was smoke, not with fire. Unfortunately those victims suffered from smoke inhalation," he said.

"There is proper ventilation in the property, unfortunately a lot of them were exposed to a degree of panic, which I truly understand when people hear gunshots...Unfortunately, rather evacuating the property quickly, they seek shelter and that's when they became overwhelmed by smoke," he added.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the gunman covered himself with a blanket, poured gasoline all over his body, and then burned himself.

Recovered from the suspect inside the room were a sub-machine gun and a short firearm, said Dela Rosa, who maintained that the incident was not a terrorist attack. —KBK, GMA News