Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., the operator of Resorts World Manila, said Tuesday it will exert all efforts to “preserve and defend its provisional gaming license,” following the suspension order issued by state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. on Friday.
Travellers said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it received the order issued by Pagcor suspending its provisional license pending the investigation and final determination by Pagcor of the company’s alleged liability for the June 2, 2017 robbery/arson incident.
“The company confirms that it is fully committed to abide by the said order and shall fully cooperate with the authorities on all investigations relevant to the incident,” Travellers said.
“The company assures its stakeholders that all efforts shall be exerted to preserve and defend the company’s provisional license,” it said.
Pagcor issued an order on June 9, suspending the provisional license granted to Travellers to operate casinos and other gaming facilities under the business name of Resorts World Manila after an arson attack there left 38 people dead, including the armed suspect, and 54 individuals wounded.
With the suspension, Pagcor said Resorts World Manila should cease and desist all gaming operations while the investigation on its liability regarding the June 2 incident was ongoing.
The gaming regulator said non-compliance with the order would force it to impose other sanctions warranted under existing laws.
Pagcor said the incident in Resorts World Manila caused not only the loss of lives and damaged properties, but also placed the Philippine gaming, tourism and hospitality industries in the bad light.
Following the disclosure, the share price of Travellers dropped 1.6 percent Tuesday to P3 from P3.05 on Friday.
Resorts World Manila is a 11.5-hectare development that opened in 2009. It was the first Pagcor licensee to operate an integrated resort and casino in the country.
Aside from Resorts World Manila, Travellers is also building another integrated resort and casino called Bayshore City Resorts World in Entertainment City in Parañaque City.
Bayshore City Resorts World is targeted to be completed by the end of 2020.