THE PHILIPPINES

A gunman stormed a crowded Manila casino early Friday and used gasoline to set gaming tables on fire, creating clouds of smoke that swept through the crowds and killed at least 36 people. The gunman, who had fled with US$2 million in stolen casino chips, then entered a room in an adjoining hotel and killed himself by setting himself on fire. While an Islamic State-linked Filipino said on social media that “lone wolf soldiers” of IS were behind the attack, police rejected the claim, noting the man didn’t shoot anyone he encountered. Security footage showed the gunman ignoring a guard’s questions at the complex’s entrance and going straight to the casino. He stuffed a backpack with chips, fired his assault rifle at TV screens and set gaming tables on fire by pouring gasoline onto them from a two-litre bottle he carried.