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At least 25 wounded in apparent ISIS attack on Resorts World Manila – reports (VIDEO, PHOTOS) Resort World Manila attack ‘not terrorism,’ likely robbery – police chief
(35 minutes later)
Resorts World Manila, a massive leisure complex next to the Filipino capital’s international airport, remains on lockdown after reports of a shooter running rampage inside one of its hotels. Cited by local media, Philippine Red Cross says at least 25 people have been injured. The gunman who infiltrated Resort World Manila, a leisure complex in the Philippines capital, did not intend to kill anyone, and may have wanted to steal casino chips, said the country’s chief of police, contradicting Islamic State, which earlier claimed the attack.
“The resort is a popular location with British and other foreign tourists, and the area remains on lockdown for the moment,” RT correspondent Charlotte Dubenskij said by phone from Manila. "We cannot say this is an act of terror, he did not hurt anyone," Ronald Dela Rosa told DZMM radio "If you are a terrorist you will sow terror."
“The police are on-site We have evacuated the building to make sure our patrons and staff are safe,” said Resorts World Manila chief operating officer Stephen Reilly. Philippines Red Cross earlier reported that 25 victims had been delivered to hospitals across Manila, but Dela Rosa said that the injuries mostly resulted from the panic, resulting from the appearance of the attacker, who reportedly carried a gun and a canister of gasoline, which he used to start a fire at a casino table. Several eyewitnesses said that bystanders jumped out of windows in terror of the gunman.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, via a channel it normally uses to report on its uprising against the government in the province of Marawi, SITE Intelligence Group reports. The perpetrator, whom Dela Rosa described as "Caucasian" remained remains at large, but the official said that most of the rooms inside the sprawling complex had been checked and declared safe.
Hotel staff fleeing their workplace told local news outlets that a masked gunman appeared on the second floor of a hotel inside the complex, which is home to a shopping center, casino and movie theater. The Philippines Fire Protection Bureau has warned that a fire has broken out on the same floor. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, via a channel it normally uses to report on its uprising against the government in the province of Marawi, SITE Intelligence Group reports.
Hotel staff fleeing their workplace told local news outlets that a masked gunman appeared on the second floor of a hotel inside the complex, which is home to a shopping center, casino and movie theater.
"I was about to return to the second floor from my break when I saw people running. Some hotel guests said someone yelled 'ISIS'," Maricel Navaro,  en employee, told DZMM radio."I was about to return to the second floor from my break when I saw people running. Some hotel guests said someone yelled 'ISIS'," Maricel Navaro,  en employee, told DZMM radio.
"We went to the basement locker room and hid there. People were screaming, guests and employees were in panic," Navaro said. When we smelled smoke, we decided to go for the exit in the carpark. That's where we got out. Before we exited, we heard two gunshots and there was thick smoke on the ground floor.""We went to the basement locker room and hid there. People were screaming, guests and employees were in panic," Navaro said. When we smelled smoke, we decided to go for the exit in the carpark. That's where we got out. Before we exited, we heard two gunshots and there was thick smoke on the ground floor."
Military spokesman Restituto Padilla said that police were “on top of the situation,” but confessed that authorities still do not have a “complete picture of the incident.”
The US State Department has acknowledged the attack and warned citizens to stay away from the vicinity of the mall, including the country’s main Ninoy Aquino Airport, which is responsible for handling over 100,000 passengers daily.The US State Department has acknowledged the attack and warned citizens to stay away from the vicinity of the mall, including the country’s main Ninoy Aquino Airport, which is responsible for handling over 100,000 passengers daily.
The apparent attack comes amid an escalating standoff between government forces and Islamist rebels on the traditionally restive southern island of Mindanao, which have been re-energized by an alliance with Islamic State. The incident came amid an escalating standoff between government forces and Islamist rebels on the traditionally restive southern island of Mindanao, which have been re-energized by an alliance with Islamic State.
Over 170 people, most of them militants, have died in recent weeks as the government has deployed the army to retake the city of Marawi from the Islamists. Martial law has been declared on Mindanao, home to 20 million people, and President Rodrigo Duterte said that its use could be extended nationwide, prior to the Manila attack on Friday morning.Over 170 people, most of them militants, have died in recent weeks as the government has deployed the army to retake the city of Marawi from the Islamists. Martial law has been declared on Mindanao, home to 20 million people, and President Rodrigo Duterte said that its use could be extended nationwide, prior to the Manila attack on Friday morning.