PAO to mediate between RW, victims of attack

MANILA, Philippines - The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) is scheduled to mediate between some of the victims of the Resorts World Manila (RWM) attack and the management of the hotel and casino on Thursday. 

PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said that some of the victims’ kin, such as Emerlita Cruz Oliveros, have sought assistance from their office. 

“We are giving provisional assistance for the mediation conciliation of all parties and victims,” said Acosta. 

The mediation is set on June 15 at 2 p.m. at the PAO office in Quezon City.

Relatives of the victims, RWM officials and other concerned parties would be attending the meeting in the hope that they would be able to reach a settlement, thereby avoiding a court battle. 

Acosta said she is not aware how many relatives of the victims would attend the mediation. 

A disgruntled gambling addict identified as Jessie Javier Carlos, armed with a high-powered rifle, attacked the RWM in Pasay City last June 2, fired his gun and burned parts of the hotel that killed 37 guests and employees due to suffocation, while 78 others were injured.

Carlos later killed himself.