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Resorts World Manila: Gunman sparks panic at Philippines hotel Resorts World Manila: Gunman sparks panic at Philippines hotel
(about 2 hours later)
Police in the Philippines have taken control of a hotel and entertainment complex in Manila after it was stormed by a masked gunman.Police in the Philippines have taken control of a hotel and entertainment complex in Manila after it was stormed by a masked gunman.
Resorts World Manila was put on lockdown after the incident, which happened shortly after midnight local time (16:00 GMT). The gunman is dead, officials said, although it is not clear how he died. It is believed he acted alone and was staging a robbery, police said.
Swat teams were deployed to the scene, with people fleeing the hotel in panic. Resorts World Manila was in lockdown after the incident, which happened after midnight local time (16:00 GMT).
The Philippines police chief said they did not believe it was a terror attack. Several people were reported injured as they fled the hotel in panic.
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. 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.Gunshots were fired, he said, but were not aimed at people in the room.
He admitted that the gunman had not been found. The police chief told local radio station DAM the gunman had filled a bag with casino gambling chips.
"We have cleared the rooms [on the floor of the hotel where the gunman was last seen], but we don't see where he is," Mr dela Rosa said. But he warned that Islamist militants might falsely claim to be behind it to further their propaganda.
The Philippine military is currently battling militants allied to so-called Islamic State on the southern island of Mindanao.
"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."
He added that no visitors to the casino had been shot and that the only injuries were from smoke inhalation, or the stampede that formed as people tried to escape.
Resorts World Manila features multiple hotels and bars, as well as a shopping centre and casino.Resorts World Manila features multiple hotels and bars, as well as a shopping centre and casino.
The police chief told local radio station DZMM the gunman had filled a bag with casino gambling chips, and that the incident may have been an attempted 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," the police chief said. "If you are a terrorist you will sow terror."
He added that nobody had been shot and that the only injuries were from smoke inhalation, or the stampede that formed as people tried to escape.
Many witnesses took the incident for a militant assault.Many witnesses took the incident for a militant assault.
Maricel Navaro, a Resorts World employee, told DZMM radio he had returned from his break to find people fleeing in panic. Marcel Navaro, a Resorts World employee, told DZMM radio 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."
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.
As the situation unfolded, 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."As the situation unfolded, 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."
Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which is around a mile (1.6km) from the resort, was placed on lockdown.Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which is around a mile (1.6km) from the resort, was placed on lockdown.
President Donald Trump labelled the incident a terror attack, and offered his "thoughts and prayers" to those affected.President Donald Trump labelled the incident a terror 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.
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.
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