House leader shows alleged police lapses in Resorts World attack

June 14, 2017

A leader of the House of Representatives on Wednesday pointed out alleged lapses of  policemen responding to the attack in Resorts World Manila in monitoring a Facebook Live video that could have saved the lives of at least 37 people who died. House Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said it could have turned out differently if  policemen monitored the Facebook Live video showing that  Jessie Carlos was the only attacker. “I have a video here, a guy on Facebook Live. He was [taking] a video of the whole incident from the time it started. People were running. The police, ambulance and SWAT came at 12:36 a.m. In the video, people who were leaving were saying there is only one gunman," said Farinas, a congressman from Ilocos Norte. "These 37 who died in the lower level could have been saved. The police could have easily found out if they communicated among themselves," said Fariñas. Among the casualties was Elizabeth Panlilio Gonzales, the wife of Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. Fariñas said the Philippine National Police (PNP) failed to inform the  public when the event was unfolding. "This was very early. The whole world was watching Facebook,” said Farinas in the continuation of a hearing of the House committees on games and amusement, on public order and safety, and on tourism chaired by Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting, Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, and Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, respectively, investigation on the Resorts World Manila tragedy. Bureau of Fire Protection Director Bobby Baruelo told the probe the fatalities died in less than five minutes during the arson attack. "It only takes two to three minutes for a person to become unconscious," Baruelo said in response to Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat’s questioning. "With continued inhalation of these gases, a person might die of suffocation or asphyxia after four to five minutes," said Baruelo. Baruelo believed the fatalities could have survived had they left the room and looked for a fire exit. "The location of the victims is quite near to the available exits based on CCTV (closed-circuit television) footages. We had a walkthrough in the area and the room where the bodies were found. There were two available exits near them,” he said. "You can reach the exits in less than one minute," Baruelo said. "It's unfortunate that the victims were trapped there for 20 minutes when the first fire broke out when the baccarat tables were burned.” RWM President Kingson Sian explained Carlos made the fatalities believe his attack was massive, prompting the victims to hide and died of suffocation. “We highlighted footage with audio to dramatize fear that was instilled upon people who were hiding,” said Sian after presenting some footages of the CCTV to the joint committee probe.  DMS