‘I.S. NOT INVOLVED IN SHOOTING’
Resorts World casino fire, deaths the work of mentally disturbed man, say authorities
MANILA
PHILIPPINE authorities yesterday said they do not know the identity of the gunman who killed 37 people when he torched a casino, but insisted he was not an Islamic State terrorist.
The masked man stormed the Resorts World casino and hotel complex here on Friday with an M4 automatic rifle and a bottle of petrol, before setting alight one of the main gaming rooms.
Thirty-seven people died in the fire, dozens more were injured in a stampede to escape, and the gunman was found dead about five hours later in a hotel room after committing suicide by setting fire to himself, police said.
IS claimed responsibility, with a report on its self-styled Amaq news agency saying its “fighters” carried out the attack, but Philippine authorities continued to insist yesterday that a mentally disturbed man had been attempting a bizarre solo robbery.
“They (IS) may claim credit but, according to evidence, it is not so,” said presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella.
“The evidence at this stage points to the actions of an emotionally disturbed person who was apparently engaged in criminal actions.”
Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde yesterday said they had not identified the gunman.
“We are doing everything we can to identify this person and ensure the safety of our countrymen,” he said on government radio.
Albayalde added to an array of contradictory messages from authorities in the initial stages of the investigation by saying police now believed the gunman had arrived at the casino in a taxi.
“We are looking at the taxi driver who may be able to identify him.”
But Albayalde and other police chiefs said repeatedly on Friday that recorded security footage showed the gunman drove to the casino and parked his vehicle in the complex’s car park.
There was no explanation from police for the change in such a crucial part of the investigation. Police also gave confusing or contradictory statements on other parts of the incident on Friday.
National police chief Ronald dela Rosa had said police shot the gunman dead, but later reported he wrapped himself in a blanket and burnt himself to death.
Dela Rosa also said the gunman had not shot anyone, but Resorts World reported one of its security guards had a gunshot wound.
Albayalde had said on Friday the assailant was likely a foreigner, describing him as a Caucasian who spoke English. AFP