Resorts World Manila gunman not a terrorist —ex-AFP chief of staff

Former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Rodolfo Biazon on Friday said the gunman who attacked Resorts World Manila before dawn had no indications of being a terrorist.

This was despite claims by international sites that it was perpetrated by a lone Filipino ISIS operative.

"There are no indications that this is a terroristic act. Maybe this is committed by a deranged mind," Biazon said on News To Go. "Unfortunately, even the world is looking at this as a case of terrorism."

Biazon's observations reinforced the Philippine National Police's statement that the incident was a possible robbery attempt in spite of ISIS allegedly claiming responsibility for the attack.

The former army chief and senator added that no conclusions could be made at this time, but pointed out that the suspect's pattern of attack does not match with ISIS' usual modus operandi.

"Kung ako'y terrorist, especially of the ISIS brand of terrorism, it is to inflict maximum damage to civilians. Kung 'yun ang kanyang intensyon, pagpasok pa lang binabaril na niya," Biazon explained.

None of the reported 54 people injured suffered from gunshots. Most had broken bones after jumping out to escape or inhaled smoke from gaming tables set on fire by the gunman.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said that the death toll has reached 37, including the gunman.

Resorts World Manila Chief Operating Officer Stephen Reilly said in a press conference that 35 died due to smoke inhalation, in which 22 were guests and 13 were employees.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said people may have confused the Special Action Force troops who responded to the shooting as accomplices, bolstering speculations that the suspect was a terrorist.

The suspect was found dead by respondents in a room on the fifth floor of the hotel.

He was burnt beyond recognition with a self-inflicted bullet wound in the head, contrary to Dela Rosa's earlier claims that he was killed in a conflict with respondents. —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News