Resorts World gunman dead

The gunman in the shooting incident before dawn Friday at the Resorts World Manila has been found dead, Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said.

“The lone gunman is already neutralized. Patay na siya, nagsunog siya ng sarili sa loob ng hotel room 510. Patay na siya, sinunog niya sarili niya,” Dela Rosa told reporters outside the hotel in Pasay City.

He said the suspect covered himself with a blanket before pouring gasoline all over his body and burning himself.

“Humiga siya sa bed, kinoveran ang sarili ng makapal na kumot. Apparently nagbuhos siya ng gasolina sa kumot, nagsindi sa sarili. Ayun, sunog siya,” he said.

The PNP chief said the suspect was charred beyond recognition.

"Sunog talaga beyond recognition, hindi na makilala," he said.

Recovered from the suspect inside the room were a submachine gun and a short firearm, Dela Rosa said.

“Na-recover ‘yung kanyang baril na isang submachine gun na maliit at isang short firearm na apparently caliber 38. Nasunog kasama niya sa bed na hinigaan niya,” he said.

Acted on his own

Dela Rosa believes the suspect acted on his own.

Police have yet to get his identity and nationality.

Dela Rosa said the suspect spoke English.

“So far wala (siyang kasabwat). Lone gunman. Hindi pa ma-identify sa ngayon. English-speaking siya. Nagsasalita siya ng ‘Get out, get out’ sa lahat ng na-encounter niya,” he said.

He said the suspect tried to evade responding police officers.

“Lahat ng CCTV kanina prior to our clearing operations doon sa room 512 or 514 vicinity nakita siya. Nagsunog siya doon then dumilim na sa CCTV. Umakyat 'yung tropa natin, SWAT at SAF, nag-room clearing operation. Na-clear nila from 1st up to 9th floor. Habang nagki-clearing sila, sumibat 'yung gunman from 5th. Bumaba sa 2nd floor. Parang nagkasalisihan ba,” he said.

When the troops did not see the gunman, they went back to the ground floor until the CCTV operator told them that the suspect entered a room on the 5th floor.

“Na-clear nila hanggang 9th floor. N’ung na-clear, bumaba lahat ng tropa. Nag-consolidate sila sa ground floor with the instruction sa CCTV operator na kung makita nila, i-report sa kanila. Na-monitor ngayon na umakyat from 2nd to 5th floor, pumasok sa room 510,” he said.

“Tumakbo ‘yung ating operatives sa taas, pinasok 'yung room 510 pero huli na ang lahat. Pagpasok doon masyado nang mausok. Nagsunog na siya sa sarili niya that led to his death,” he added.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO Director) Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde confirmed in an earlier interview on dzBB that the gunman committed suicide.

"Sa room 510, sinunog niya 'yung sarili niya. Nagpakamatay na rin po siya... Na-recover 'yung baril, one long, one short na baril na hawak niya," he said.

Albayalde said the suspect was alone inside a hotel room.

"After po nun, after magsunog siya ay dumeretso na doon sa fifth floor at nagsunog din siya doon kaya kumapal 'yung usok at nawala siya sa monitor ng CCTV," he added.

"Kaya doon po siya nagkulong sa loob ng 510."

Albayalde said the suspect, who was armed with a baby Armalite, could have burned himself alive.

"Sunog na sunog po siya. Ang assessment po natin nagsunog siya ng sarili. Opo nagpakatamay na rin po siya."

However dela Rosa, in an earlier phone interview with Unang Balita on Friday, said the gunman exchanged fire with government troops.

"Napatay ito ng operating troops, sa fifth floor. Lumaban ito, nakipagbarilan, armado e," Dela Rosa said.

He said blood stains were seen on the other floor where the operating troops first encountered the suspect.

"May dugo kanina doon sa baba kung saan nagkabulagaan sila pero ngayon patay na, sa 5th floor nakuha," he said.

Armed man

Several shots were first heard at Resorts World early Friday. Witnesses reported seeing an armed man with his face covered.

LOOK: CCTV captures photos of gunman in Resorts World Manila shooting

Employees said he burned gaming tables.

Some 54 people were injured, dela Rosa said.

Thirty-seven died in the incident, including the gunman, Albayalde said.

A few of the injured jumped out of the building, while others suffered from smoke inhalation, Victoria Tulad reported for Unang Balita.

Rescuers immediately brought the injured to hospitals for treatment.

GMA News' Jay Sabale reported that the fire was contained at around 7 a.m. —BAP/KG, GMA News