Tourists flee terror attack
Gunfire and explosions heard as masked gunmen target hotel resort
TOURISTS have fled a hotel in the Phillipines capital Manila after gunmen opened fire and loud explosions were heard as a Muslim Militia group laid siege to a vast hotel complex.
Police rushed to Resorts World Manila, close to the main international airport, after gunshots were heard at the complex, where smoke began billowing from an upper floor of the mall.
There were reports of injuries from witnesses, including a Swat team member who went to the scene and was reportedly fired upon by unidentified men wearing masks. The Philippines Red Cross tweeted that it had transported three people from the resort to hospitals. It was not know if there had been any fatalities.
Resorts World Manila said on its Facebook page that it was “on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men”, adding “the company is working closely with the police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe”.
Last night, police had not given details about the incident, but cordoned off the area near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. “I heard many, many gunshots,” Julio Silva, a witness who managed to dash out of the mall complex, told the DZMM radio network. The incident was unfolding last night amid a 10-day deadly siege by Muslim militants aligned to the Islamic State (IS) group in the southern city of Marawi.
The attack sparked fears that the militants may attack elsewhere to divert the focus of thousands of troops trying to quell the siege.
The Site Intelligence Group, a US terrorism monitor, said an IS-linked Filipino operative who provides daily updates on the ongoing clashes in Marawi claimed that “lone wolf soldiers” of the IS group are responsible for the attack at the hotel.
An English message by the operative was distributed across several pro-IS Telegram chat groups, Site said. According to Site, he wrote: “The lone wolf soldiers of Khilafah attack the heart of Kufar the city of Manila in Resort World.”
US President Donald Trump said his “thoughts are prayers” were with those affected. Mr Trump said: “It is really very sad as to what’s going on throughout the world with terror.”
Speaking in the White House Rose Garden, Mr Trump said he is “closely monitoring the situation” and will continue to provide updates.
Witness Jay Dones said gunmen fired shots in the air.
He said: “I spoke with some of the employees earlier and many of them say they saw at least two suspects, armed with long firearms wearing all black.
“One of them was carrying a bottle.
“One of the employees told me that the suspect began pouring the contents of the bottle on one of the tables and lit it on fire.”
Tikos Low said he was in the resort’s casino, along with a few hundred other people, when the attack began. Mr Low said he heard what sounded like an explosion.
“I could smell some kind of smoke that came from an explosive device,” he said.
Several hours later, witnesses on the scene said the shooting had stopped. No-one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
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