At least 36 people have died after a gunman burst into a Manila casino, firing shots and setting gaming tables alight, a spokesman for the Philippine president said this morning, in what officials believe was a botched robbery attempt.
Police said the unidentified gunman took his own life but today said they are looking for a person of interest who is still alive and believed to be Philippine national in connection with the attack.
There was no evidence linking the attack at the Resorts World Manila entertainment complex to fighting between government troops and Islamist militants in the country's south, said Ernesto Abella, a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte.
"All indications point to a criminal act by an apparently emotionally disturbed individual," Mr Abella told a media conference.
"Although the perpetrator gave warning shots, there apparently was no indication that he wanted to do harm or shoot anyone."
Most of the dead suffocated in the chaos as guests and staff tried to flee choking smoke at the complex after the drama that began shortly after midnight local time.
Oscar Albayalde, chief of the capital's police office, said those that died were in the casino's main gaming area.
"What caused their deaths is the thick smoke," he told reporters. "The room was carpeted and of course the tables, highly combustible."
Resorts World Manila official said the dead included 13 employees and 22 guests.
Around dawn, the body of the suspected gunman was found in a hotel room in the still-smoking complex, which is close to Ninoy Aquino International Airport and an air force base, police said.
Resort owner Travellers International Hotel Group Inc, a joint venture of the Philippines Alliance GlobalGroup Inc and Genting Hong Kong Ltd, said authorities were still seeking details.
"We have been informed of several casualties, the number and identities of whom have yet to be determined," it said in a statement.
Officials said at least 54 people were hurt, some seriously, as they rushed to escape what at first had been feared as a militant attack.
"Don't panic, this is not a cause for alarm. We cannot attribute this to terrorism," national police chief dela Rosa told DZMM radio.
"We are looking into a robbery angle because he did not hurt any people and went straight to the casino chips storage room. He parked at the second floor and barged into the casino, shooting large TV screens and poured gasoline on a table setting it on fire," he said.
Police said the gunman was tall with a pale complexion and spoke English.
Kimberly Molitas, a spokeswoman for the capital's police office, said 113 million Philippine pesos (€2m) worth of casino chips stolen during the raid had been recovered.
The Philippines has been on heightened alert amid a crisis in the south of the country, where troops have been battling Islamist rebels since 23 May.
Mr Duterte declared martial law on the southern island of Mindanao last week and has warned it could become a haven for supporters fleeing Iraq and Syria.
