A man armed with an assault weapon who fired shots inside an entertainment resort and casino in the capital, Manila, committed suicide by setting himself alight, Philippine police said on Friday.
“Our assessment is he burned himself. He committed suicide,” Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Manila police office, said in a radio interview.
The gunman burst into the casino, fired shots, and set gaming tables alight in Resorts World Manila early on Friday, sowing panic in a country on high alert after martial law was declared in the south. But police said the motive was likely robbery.
National police chief Ronald dela Rosa told DZMM radio the lone gunman had not aimed his assault rifle at people at the entertainment complex during the hours-long drama that began shortly after midnight (1600GMT), and may have been trying to steal casino chips.
Around dawn, the body of the suspected gunman was found in a hotel room in the complex, which is close to Ninoy Aquino International Airport and an air force base.
Police said it appeared the suspect had killed himself after firing at officers searching the still-smoking building.
“Our assessment is he burned himself. He committed suicide,” Oscar Albayalde, chief of the capital’s police office, said in a radio interview.
Officials said at least 30 people were hurt, some seriously, as they rushed to escape what at first had been feared as a “terrorist” attack.
Jeri Ann Santiago, who works in the emergency room at the San Juan de Dios hospital, close to Resorts World, said 13 people were being treated, but more were on the way.
Most of the patients were suffering the effects of smoke inhalation and some had injuries such as fractures, she said, adding none had gunshot wounds.
Kimberly Molitas, a spokeswoman for the capital’s police office, said $2.27m worth of casino chips stolen during the raid had been recovered.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.