Cops eye robbery, not ISIS, in Resorts World attack – Bato

PNP Special Action Force troops surround the Resorts World Manila during a tense moment. REM ZAMORA/INQUIRER

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Friday morning denied reports that international terror group ISIS carried out the attack on Resorts World Manila.

Dela Rosa said the attack was carried out by a lone man who entered the resort-casino complex.

“There is a lone man who entered the second floor of Resorts World Manila. He was carrying an M4 rifle and he burned gambling tables. He did not shoot anyone,” Dela Rosa said in an interview with reporters at the police command center in the hotel complex.

READ: Resorts World in Manila on lockdown after gunfire, explosions

No motive yet

He said the PNP has yet to establish the motive of the attack.

“So far the motive [is unknown]. Ito ba ay terrorism or robbery or nasisiraan lang ng bait. (Is this terrorism or robbery or did someone just lose his mind)?” he said.

He said they did not see any hostage-taking incident after reviewing all CCTV footage, adding that the attacker did not shoot anyone.

The PNP chief rejected reports that ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, allaying fears that this was an act of terror.

“They can claim anything as part of their propaganda but we have to base our conclusion on evidence. Kailangan malaman natin kung ISIS ba ito or what (We need to make sure if this was carried out by ISIS or what),” he stressed.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, according to SITE Intelligence Group.

“It’s too early to conclude, it’s too early to tell. There was no indication that ISIS, pinagbabaril na niya yung mga tao doon na nagsusugal o kaya nagpasabog ng bomba (he could have shot the gamblers there or set off a bomb),” Dela Rosa added.

Stampede

He said no one was hurt, except for those who fled for their safety, adding that they only suffered minor physical injuries due to the stampede.

READ: ‘We ask for your prayers,’ Resorts World Manila appeals to public

The attacker only shot a big LED TV at the casino and fired several shots at the storage area, he added.

According to him, the PNP was looking at the robbery angle since the attacker barged into the storage room to steal a backpack full of casino chips worth P1 million.

The backpack was recovered by the police.

Dela Rosa said the lone attacker, a foreign-looking, Caucasian man, was last spotted on the second floor. He is still at large.

Troops were conducting clearing operation in all rooms and floors of the hotel, he said, adding that the situation is closing to normal.

Dela Rosa called on the public to be vigilant and aware at all times.

“As far the PNP is concerned, we cannot attribute this to terrorism [yet]. The ISIS can claim anytime as part of their propaganda,” he said.