THE Philippine National Police will summon the management of Resorts World Manila to shed light on the security breach at the casino hotel after a gunman entered it and torched some of its facilities, killing 37 people and wounding 54 others at dawn Friday, an official said Friday.
Chief Supt Jose Espino, head of the PNP’s Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies, said they will invite Resort World’s top officials to explain how the gunman was able to enter their facility without being accosted.
“We will summon the management and the security guards that were on duty at the time of the incident,” Espino said.
He made his statement even as Malacañang expressed its condolences to the families of those slain and wounded at the entertainment complex in Pasay City.
“The Palace wishes to express its deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims [at] Resorts World Manila,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said.
“This is a reminder that civilized society has no place for this kind of violence. The safety of citizens and the security of communities are our primordial concerns.”
Resort World’s officials said they will extend assistance to the families of those who died of suffocation or were injured when the gunman torched gaming tables and himself in the casino hotel.
”It is with deep sadness that in addition to the 54 injured, there were 35 reported casualties from this tragic incident. Initial unconfirmed reports indicate that the deaths were caused by smoke inhalation,” the hotel’s management said in a statement.
”We cannot release the information on the identities of the victims at this time as we are awaiting SOCO’s final confirmation. We shall be informing their next of kin as soon as the information is officially confirmed and released to us by SOCO.”
The lone gunman, clad in black attire and a black bonnet and armed with a rifle, entered the casino without being noticed.
Reports said the suspect proceeded at the gaming area and then went to the second level and started firing upward. He then proceeded to the fifth level where he set the area on fire.
Several guests in the burning area panicked and ran for their safety while the gunman later doused himself with gasoline and lit himself.
Espino said they were looking at the lapses in the hotel.
How come the man was able to enter with a firearm?” he said.
Citing reports, Espino said the gunman parked his vehicle and was able to enter with a firearm.
“We will look into that, the lapses in the implementation of security measures and if there are appropriate administrative sanctions,” Espino said. With John Paolo Bencito and PNA