Resorts World Manila is in lockdown this morning after a masked man carrying a gun stormed the building in this morning’s early hours.
Within the last hour police have announced the gunman has been killed, with police SWAT teams currently on the scene.
In the early hours of this morning there were reports of gunshots and a fire on the second floor of the Pasay City building, which is located alongside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
US President Donald Trump immediately labelled the incident a terror attack, saying “our thoughts and our prayers” are with those affected by the “terrorist attack in Manila”, but Philippines police soon after said the attack was not terrorism.
A single gunman was seen firing shots as guests fled the property. “Resorts World Manila is currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men,” the company stated on its official Twitter account.
“The company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe.”
Resorts World employee Maricel Navaro told local radio station DZMM that, “Guests were screaming. We went to the basement locker room and hid there. People were screaming, guests and employees were in panic.”
SWAT teams, paramedics and fire crews have all been stationed outside the complex throughout the morning, while at least 25 injured guests have been taken to hospital.
Resorts World Manila spokesman Stephen Reilly said, “We are searching the area as much as we can to make sure it is clear.”
Mr Reilly added, “At the moment we only know of one suspect. His affiliation, his identity is not known at this time.”
There had been reports linking the gunman to ISIS although UK intelligence agents monitoring the situation say no organization has claimed any responsibility at this stage.
The incident also comes amid crisis on the southern island of Mindanao, where President Rodrigo Duterte implemented martial law last week to battle what he has described as the growing threat of the Islamic State. He has also threatened to declare martial law across the country if required.
RelatedPosts
