This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-40123389

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Resorts World Manila: Shooting at Philippines leisure complex Resorts World Manila: Gunman sparks panic at Philippines hotel
(35 minutes later)
A tourist complex in the Philippines is on lockdown after explosions were heard and at least one gunman opened fire. Police in the Philippines have taken control of a hotel and entertainment complex in Manila after it was stormed by a masked gunman.
Police and Swat teams were deployed to Resorts World Manila shortly after midnight local time (16:00 GMT). Resorts World Manila was put on lockdown after the incident, which happened shortly after midnight local time (16:00 GMT).
Staff at one hotel told CNN Philippines a masked gunman was on the second floor firing at guests, and TV footage showed people running from the building. Swat teams were deployed to the scene, and TV footage showed people fleeing the hotel in panic.
The Philippines Fire Protection Bureau confirmed reports of a fire on the same floor. The Philippines police chief said they did not believe it was a terror attack.
Maricel Navaro, a Resorts World employee, told local radio station DZMM he had returned from his break to find people fleeing in panic. Ronald dela Rosa said a lone gunman had entered the gaming area at Resorts World and set some tables on fire.
Gunshots were fired, he said, but were not aimed at people in the room.
Mr Dela Rosa told local radio station DZMM that the incident may have been a robbery. He warned that Islamic State militants might falsely claim to be behind it to further their propaganda.
"We cannot say this is an act of terror ... he [the gunman] did not hurt anyone," he said. "If you are a terrorist you will sow terror."
Resorts World Manila features multiple hotels and bars, as well as a casino, shopping centre and cinema.
There are no current reports of people being injured in the incident there, which many witnesses took to be a militant assault attack.
Maricel Navaro, a Resorts World employee, told DZMM he had returned from his break to find people fleeing in panic.
"Guests were screaming. We went to the basement locker room and hid there. People were screaming, guests and employees were in panic."Guests were screaming. We went to the basement locker room and hid there. People were screaming, guests and employees were in panic.
"When we smelled smoke, we decided to go for the exit in the car park. That's where we got out. Before we exited, we heard two gunshots and there was thick smoke on the ground floor.""When we smelled smoke, we decided to go for the exit in the car park. That's where we got out. Before we exited, we heard two gunshots and there was thick smoke on the ground floor."
The entertainment complex wrote on Twitter: "Resorts World Manila is currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men.
"The Company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe.
"We ask for your prayers during these difficult times."
Eyewitness Hessa Isabelle filmed the scene from a nearby balcony and described seeing "people screaming and running out of the building".Eyewitness Hessa Isabelle filmed the scene from a nearby balcony and described seeing "people screaming and running out of the building".
"People are being evacuated out of the building and there's smoke coming out, and they're saying that it's a terrorist attack," she said."People are being evacuated out of the building and there's smoke coming out, and they're saying that it's a terrorist attack," she said.
A spokesman for the Philippines' Army has said police are in control of the situation, and the military is monitoring it closely. The US state department tweeted a warning to citizens, stating: "Reports of explosions/gunfire at Resorts World Manila, near the Manila Intl Airport. Avoid area & monitor local news."
Resorts World Manila features multiple hotels and bars, as well as a casino, shopping centre and cinema. President Donald Trump labelled the incident a terror attack, and offered his "thoughts and prayers" to those affected.
Pictures have emerged on social media which show plumes of smoke pouring from one building. "We're closely monitoring the situation ... but it is really very sad as to what's going on in the world with terror," he said.
A source at the scene told Reuters that an evacuation was under way.
The US state department has tweeted a warning to citizens, stating: "Reports of explosions/gunfire at Resorts World Manila, near the Manila Intl Airport. Avoid area & monitor local news."
It advised people to "check in with family/friends on social media to let them know you are safe".
President Donald Trump said the US was closely monitoring the attack and offered his "thoughts and prayers" to those affected.
The incident comes as the Philippines army is fighting militants linked to the so-called Islamic State group for control of the city of Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao.The incident comes as the Philippines army is fighting militants linked to the so-called Islamic State group for control of the city of Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao.
Analysts at BBC Monitoring say so-called Islamic State has not yet claimed it was behind the attack, despite multiple media reports to the contrary.
Its official accounts on the messaging app Telegram have so far offered no comment on the shooting.
Are you in the area? Did you witness what happened? If it is safe to do so please let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in the area? Did you witness what happened? If it is safe to do so please let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below