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What we know: Attack at Resorts World Manila

Philstar.com
What we know: Attack at Resorts World Manila

Emergency responders and security officials are parked outside as smoke rises from the Resorts World Manila complex, early Friday, June 2, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Gunshots and explosions rang out early Friday at a mall, casino and hotel complex near Manila's international airport in the Philippine capital, sparking a security alarm amid an ongoing Muslim militant siege in the country's south. AP/Bullit Marquez

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

MANILA, Philippines (Update 6, 1:15 p.m.) — The latest on gunshots and explosions at a mall, casino and hotel complex in Manila (all times local):

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12:40 p.m.

Metro Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde said Friday the gunman carried a 2-liter bottle of gasoline, the gambling area was carpeted and the tables were also made of combustible materials. He said investigators would check whether the sprinklers in the hotel worked. Albayalde said "the bodies were found in the gaming area of the casino."

He also said the gunman entered the building alone, based on security video. He says, "From the time he barged in and until the end, he was alone."

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12:15 p.m.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry says one South Korean has died after being evacuated from the Philippine casino stormed by a gunman.

The ministry said the South Korean victim suffered an apparent heart attack while resting after the evacuation early Friday. Three other South Koreans had light injuries from the stampede and smoke set off by the attack.

Casinos in the Philippines are popular with foreign gamblers.

The gunman started a fire by torching gambling tables and fled with gambling chips. He was found dead hours later of an apparent suicide.

The Metropolitan Manila police chief previously said 36 bodies were found inside the building by firefighters and all died from smoke inhalation.

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12:00 p.m.

Authorities say 37 bodies recovered from the scene, including the gunman's. The perpetrator torched gambling tables in the crowded space, creating a choking level of smoke that killed people.

DETAILS: At least 37 killed due to suffocation in Resorts World attack

The gunman stuffed a backpack with casino chips before he fled but was found dead in an adjacent hotel early Friday of an apparent suicide.

Metropolitan Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde says the bodies were found in smoky rooms by firefighters and all died from suffocation and smoke inhalation. None of the bodies had gunshot wounds.

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10:30 a.m.

The Bureau of Fire Protection reports that at least 20 bodies found inside the Resorts World Manila building. The victims reportedly died of suffocation.

Management of the casino complex says the individuals who perished in the incidents are yet to be identified. "As soon as this information becomes available, we shall be informing their loved ones. We ask for your understanding during this difficult time," Resort World Manila's statement reads.

Dozens are also rushed to the hospital for injuries in the ensuing panic earlier today.

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7:40 a.m.

Police say the suspect in the attack on a hotel and casino complex near Manila's airport has been found dead of apparent suicide.

Metropolitan Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde says the English-speaking suspect was found dead with his rifle on the fifth floor of the Resorts World Manila complex. He says the gunman apparently killed himself.

DETAILS: Resorts World gunman dead, says police

Police are searching the suspect's car, parked on the second floor. Before the attack, he got out of the car and entered the building with his rifle.

Abayalde says the guards at the door ran away after seeing the armed man.

The suspect took 113 million pesos ($226,000) worth of gambling chips, which were found in a bag he was carrying.

Security cameras show the still unidentified, "foreign-looking" gunman inside the casino complex. PNP

Abayalde says there was no indication of terrorism. He says either the suspect lost in the casino and wanted to get his money back, or went "totally nuts."

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5 a.m.

The Philippine national police chief says robbery may have been a motive in the attack on a hotel and casino complex near Manila’s airport.

Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa says authorities have reviewed CCTV footage from the scene and the lone gunman “was not hurting anyone.”

He said it seemed like the gunman was focused on the gambling table and stealing chips.

An injured man is placed on a stretcher after explosions rang out early Friday, June 2, 2017, at the Resorts World Manila complex near Manila's international airport in the Philippine capital, sparking a security alarm amid an ongoing Muslim militant siege in the country's south. Tikos Low via AP

Dela Rosa said there was no immediate indication of terrorism. He said the gunman, who is still at large, would have shot all the people gambling if terror had been the motive.

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4:30 a.m.

The Philippine national police chief says there is no concrete evidence that the attack on a hotel and casino complex near Manila’s airport is terrorism.

Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa said one gunman is believed to be behind the attack early Friday and is still at large.

Dela Rosa told reporters at the scene that the gunman stole gambling chips, shot an LED monitor and set ablaze gambling tables by pouring gasoline on them. But Dela Rosa says the assailant did not fire at people he met.

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3:55 a.m.

President Donald Trump is offering the thoughts and prayers of the American people to those impacted by an attack at a tourist resort in the Philippines.

Trump said Thursday that “It is really very sad as to what’s going on throughout the world with terror," falsely attributing the attack to terrorists.

Speaking in the White House Rose Garden, Trump said he is “closely monitoring the situation” and will continue to provide updates.

President Donald Trump speaks about the shooting and explosion in Manila, Thursday, June 1, 2017, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Gunshots and explosions rang out early Friday at a mall, casino and hotel complex near Manila’s international airport in the Philippine capital, sparking a security alarm amid an ongoing Muslim militant siege in the country’s south.

Trump says, “Our thoughts and our prayers and with all of those affected.”

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2:52 a.m.

U.S. President Donald Trump is receiving updates from his national security team about developments following an attack on a tourist resort in the Philippines.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer tweeted that “@POTUS is aware of the situation in Manila and being provided updates by his national security team.”

Witnesses say gunshots and explosions have been heard at a mall, casino and hotel complex near Manila’s international airport in the Philippine capital.

No word yet on whether any Americans were in the area at the time of the early Friday morning attack there.

Spicer’s tweet came as Trump prepared to announce his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate change accord.

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2:34 a.m.

Witnesses say gunshots and explosions have been heard at a mall, casino and hotel complex near Manila’s international airport in the Philippine capital.

Philippine police rushed to the Resorts World Manila complex early Friday after gunshots rang out at the complex, where smoke began billowing from the upper floor of the building.

Philippine policemen have not given details about the incident but have begun cordoning off the area near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. — Reports from the Associated Press

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