(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday echoed the police and military stataments on the Resorts World Manila attack on Friday, saying it was not done by the Islamic State.
“I know that is not ISIS..That is not the work of ISIS,” he told the media during a visit of wounded soldiers in Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro.
President Duterte issued the statement after ISIs claimed responsibility for the assault that left 37 hotel guests and employees dead and more than 70 people injured.
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and United States Donald Trump also earlier opined that what happened in the Pasay establishment was a terrorist attack.
Government security officials emphasized, however, that the incident was a botched robbery attempt by a deranged man.
On Saturday, authorities released for the first time footage of the gunman, who has yet to be identified, before and after the attack.
No shooting at civilians
The footage appeared to corroborate the government security officials’ statements, as in several instances before and during the assault, the gunman was seen coming face to face with civilians but he did not fire at them.
The only time he was seen firing his gun at people was when he had a brief encounter with police and Resorts World Manila security personnel who were trying to stop him.
In the footage, the gunman was also seen filling a backpack with gambling chips from a storage room in the casino, where he set gambling tables and slot machines on fire.
The gunman then wrapped himself in a blanket, set himself on fire, then shot himself in the mouth, police said.
“The work of ISIS is more cruel and brutal. They will simply kill people for nothing. Not even for a reason,” the President said.
He said the gunman was “crazy.”
“Bakit mo nakawin ang plastic na alam mong di mo magamit….The guy is crazy. Siniguro nya plastic chips for what?” Duterte asked.
President Duterte visited the Rizal Funeral Homes and Veronica Funeral Homes in Pasay later in the day.
These were where the victims’ bodies were taken.
