Female security guard recounts hiding after confronting gunman in Resorts World attack

The female security guard who first saw the lone gunman who attacked Resorts World Manila admitted that she hid, noting how he aimed a “long” firearm at her co-worker as they tried to block his entrance.

Mary Grace Rayala of third-party security firm NC Lanting said she twice  challenged the gunman, dismissed Finance employee Jessie Carlos, when he walked into the establishment without passing through security check.

“May pumasok na tao, hindi dumaan sa walkthrough metal detector. Chinallenge ko po ‘yung tao, then nakita ko naka-bonnet, balot ‘yung mukha. Habang kino-confront ko siya, meron siyang dalang baril,” she said.

Rayala noted that the gun was already in plain sight. “Hawak niya po,” she said.

“That time po, kasama na rin po ‘yung pagdududa kung bakit meron siyang ganu’ng armas then naka-bonnet, sinubukan ko pa ring i-challenge. Nu’ng nakahakbang na po kami nang malayo-layo, nandu’n ‘yung isang roving guard pasalubong sa amin, then sinubukan niya ring harangin… Du’n na ‘yung time na tinutukan niya (Carlos) ng baril,” she added.

Rayal said she went for cover by running at the back, where she made the emergency call on their radio.

She recalled saying: “Emergency all units. Emergency all units. May nakapasok na lalaki, naka-bonnet, may mahabang baril, papunta sa direksyon ng casino.”

She noted that some of her colleagues “acknowledged” her call, seeking other details, before an officer ordered that the gunman be tracked.

Rayala was specifically sought by lawmakers to Wednesday’s hearing, after CCTV footage showed how Carlos entered the establishment through the entrance she was manning.

The footage showed her going after the gunman, then later running away. — RSJ/JST, GMA News