The three committees of the House of Representatives that investigated the 2017 attack by a lone gunman at the Resorts World Manila casino have merely recommended a review of the company’s security policies and strengthen their security and safety programs.
This, despite security lapses it committed that resulted in the killing of 38 people including the gunman as well as the burning of some parts of the hotel-casino.
The House Committees on Public Order and Safety, Games and Amusements, and Tourism, in its Oct. 9 committee report, did not recommend the filing of charges against RWM and its officers and personnel.
The committees are headed by Representatives Amado Espino Jr. of Pangasinan, Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City and Corazon Nuñez-Malanyaon of Davao Oriental, respectively.
“The RWM security and safety personnel must undergo more skills training and educative programs on crisis management and risk reduction. The RWM must also adhere to a stringent recruitment and hiring process of employment candidates for sensitive positions such as head security,” the committee report said.
On June 2, 2017, a gunman identified as Jessie Carlos effortlessly entered the casino premises, fired at gamers, and set casino tables on fire in what police described as a botched robbery attempt.
Most of the 38 fatalities died of suffocation, while Carlos committed suicide inside a hotel room following a brief shootout with security forces.
The wife of then Liberal Party Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga was among the fatalities.
Opposition and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Tomasito Villarin was unhappy about the recommendations of the three committees, saying someone should be held accountable for the “senseless killing.”
“If there were lapses in security, there should be accountability, as dozens were killed and injured by such senseless killing spree by a lone gunman,” Villarin said.
“It makes no sense to recommend ‘exhortations’ to do better next time while clear negligence was determined either by institutions or responsible persons in the incident. It does not give justice to the victims and families of the attack,” he added.
