Smoke coming out of the building of the Resorts World Manila. AP PHOTO
First published: 5:36 p.m., June 2, 2017
One of the 38 people who died of suffocation in the early Friday attack by a lone gunman at Resorts World Manila was the wife of a House member .
The death of Elizabeth Panlilio Gonzales, the wife of Pampanga Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., was announced by House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas.
Fariñas divulged this to reporters after receiving a text message from Director General Ronald de la Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police.
Quoting Dela Rosa, Fariñas said Elizabeth “died in the incident.”
The grieving Gonzales’ family could not be reached for comment.
Dela Rosa also told Fariñas that the police were still locating the victim’s sister, Consolacion Mijares, and that there was no report as to her whereabouts.
Mijares, however, was not on the list of confirmed fatalities released on Friday afternoon (see list below).
Rep. Gonzales is the vice chair of the House public works and highways committee and a deputy majority leader. He is a member of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban party.
READ: At least 37 dead in Resorts World Manila attack—police
During the casino attack, the gunman also shot at a LED television monitor but did not shoot at the casino goers. Most of those who died suffocated in the smoke, the police said.
The suspect then holed himself up in one of the hotel rooms and then set himself on fire.
Dela Rosa deemed the attack as a robbery instead of a terrorist attack.
Victims’ list
As of 3 p.m. Friday, hotel officials announced the identities of 29 of the 37 casualties.
They are:
Employees
- Hazel Yongco
- Jellah Ramos
- Melvin Herrera
- Arvi Gavino
- BJ Pagsibigan
- Rojie S Uy
- Jessica Alindogan
- Merylle Gwen Ala
- Lea Grace Mozo
- Loudette Santos
- Kay Nuguerra
(*Two employees have yet to be identified.)
Guests
- Caccam Katherine Cervantes
- P. Ling Hung Lee
- Pacita Guillermo Comquilla
- Pomenciano Vargas Jr.
- Susan Abulencia
- Lai Wei Chung
- Jaime Gaboy Jr.
- Ariel Abrogar
- Lai Yu Cheeh
- Cliff Reyneira
- Rolando Pena Sison
- Eluterio Reyes
- Antonina Yuzon Allanigue
- Sheila Malicse
- Carmelita Taylo de la Cruz
- Mielle Oliveros
- Pamela Silvestre
- Elizabeth Gonzales
(Four guests have yet to be identified. Later on Friday, police added two more fatalities, both unidentified.) /JPV /atm