Palace extends sympathies to Resorts World victims

June 2, 2017

Malacanang expressed on Friday its "deep condolences" to the families and friends of the victims in the attack at Resorts World by an armed man, believed to be “mentally disturbed”. "This is a reminder civilized society has no place for this kind of violence.  Thus, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has put the campaign against criminality as a centerpiece program of his administration," Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement. Quoting authorities, he said the Resorts World incident, where 37 people died, including the suspect, was an "isolated incident involving robbery." "The safety of citizens and the security of communities are our primordial concerns, and we hope to seek everybody’s cooperation to achieve a peaceful and fear-free environment," Abella said. During the press briefing in Malacanang, Abella also said, "let’s enjoin everybody and the entire nation to please pause for a few moments and remember the --- remember in thought, in intention, in prayer those who have died in Marawi and those also the unfortunate victims in Resorts World." Government troopers have been pursuing terrorists who continued to occupy Marawi City. The unidentified suspect armed with baby armalite stormed Resorts World and torched tables inside the casino. According to National Capital Region Police Office Director Oscar David Albayalde, the victims suffocated from smoke inhalation. At least 54 people were injured due to stampede as the gunman began firing at the LED display, the door containing the gambling chips and setting fire to the billard table. (Celerina Monte/DMS)