Cops of Philippine said, the man stormed into the Resorts World Manila complex early Friday and used gasoline to torch gambling tables.
Police in the Philippines said on Saturday they are inquiring a taxi driver who may have details about the suspect in a deadly casino attack in Manila that left at least 38 people dead. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the bustle early Friday, but authorities say it was a botched robbery by a unique gunman with no links to terrorism.
According to police, the man stormed into the Resorts World Manila complex early Friday and used gasoline to torch gambling tables. The fire caused clouds of smoke that killed 37 people from smoke inhalation, said Metropolitan Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde. The gunman fled to an adjoining hotel and killed himself.
Many in Manila feared after the attack began that it was linked to ongoing battles with Muslim militants aligned with the IS in the southern city of Marawi. The fighting has placed much of the country on edge and raised fears that the IS was gaining a foothold. The Philippines has faced Muslim insurgencies for decades, though much of the violence has taken place in the troubled south.
There’s been concern the militants might attack elsewhere to divert the focus of thousands of troops trying to quell the siege in Marawi. But police were emphatic that there were no links to terrorism in Friday’s attack.
On Saturday, Alabayade said police started questioning the taxi driver who dropped the suspect off at the casino.
“We have the taxi driver who could probably recognize him,” Alabayade said.
The attack happened at a sprawling mall-like complex near the Manila airport that includes hotels, restaurants, stores and a multi-floor gambling area. Police said that during the attack the man stole more than $2 million worth of casino chips, though he apparently abandoned them in a toilet soon after.
As the gunman left, he exchanged fire with a building guard who managed to shoot him in the leg after being wounded, police and casino officials said.