Update: 34 bodies found inside bathroom after gunman opens fire at Manila resort
MANILA (KUSI) — 9:30 p.m. — Thirty-four bodies were found inside the Resorts World Manila after it was attacked by gunfire in the early hours of Friday morning.
According to CNN, it appears the victims suffocated from smoke inhalation.
"Most of the victims were women who were found dead inside the bathroom," said Southern Police District Director P/Supt. Tomas Apolinario.
An armed suspect forced his way into the resort and opened fire on gambling machines and set several tables on fire.
CNN reports the gunman committed suicide by setting himself on fire in a hotel room.
"The lone gunman committed suicide by setting himself on fire in one of the rooms on the fifth floor of the Resort World Hotel," the National Capitol Region Police Chief Oscar Albayalde told reporters in Manila Friday.
1:00 p.m. — An apparent Muslim militant siege Thursday sent hundreds of resort guests in the Philippines to flee explosions and gunfire.
Horrific, total breakdown, shock & awe footage from Resort World area in #Manila #Philippines after IS Gunmen assaulted the hotel pic.twitter.com/M0yX5AjN6m
— Baby Boy (@Refners) June 1, 2017
The Resorts World Manila in the Philippines was placed on lockdown after gunmen barged into the hotel around 1:30 a.m. local time Thursday and opened fire on guests, according to the resorts Twitter page. The Islamic State quickly took responsibility for the attack.
Resorts World Manila is currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men.
— Resorts World Manila (@rwmanila) June 1, 2017
It was unclear how many gunman were believed to be involved in the attack or if any of the gunman were in custody. Witnesses reported seeing gunmen on the hotel’s second floor. There were also reports of gunmen barging into a mall in the commercial center of the resort.
#Manila #Philippines – reports of explosions/gunfire at Resorts World Manila, near the Manila Intl Airport. Avoid area & monitor local news.
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) June 1, 2017
The resort — which includes a casino, mall and hotel — is in a metropolitan area of the capital of the Philippines that has both residential and commercial centers. It is located across from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The explosion occurred at a time when the country is fighting an ongoing Muslim militant siege in the south. Thousands of troops have been sent to suppress the siege by about 500 militants. Since Tuesday, about 120 militants, at least 25 soldiers, five policemen and 24 civilians have been killed in the fighting, according to officials.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
