At least 37 people were killed by terrorists who attacked ‘Resorts World Manila,’ a popular tourist resort in the capital city of the Philippines, at around midnight local time Thursday night.
The Islamic State terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out by its “lone wolf terrorists.”
Terrorism has become an increasing issue in the Philippines, in particular on the southern island of Mindanao, where Islamic State-linked terrorists have been fighting for control over the city of Marawi, which has a large Muslim population. At least 70,000 residents have been displaced and 140 have died in terrorist attacks in the city that began there last week, just prior to the start of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law over Mindanao in order to deal with the crisis, CNN Philippines reported.
A number of foreign workers and students in Israel hold Philippine passports, and worry about their relatives whose lives may be at risk.
At the resort in the Newport City section of Manila, popular mostly with foreign tourists, two masked gunmen wearing black clothing and carrying “long guns” were seen by employees and hotel guests. Explosions and gunfire were heard, witnesses told reporters.
Emergency Message- reports of explosions/gunfire at Resorts World Manila. Monitor local news for updates.
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) June 1, 2017
US citizens in – check in with family/friends on social media to let them know you are safe.
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) June 1, 2017
A reporter was told by an employee that one of the gunmen poured what appeared to be lighter fluid or gasoline on to a table and lit it on fire. Hundreds of guests and employees rushed out of the sprawling complex as one of the attackers opened fire at guests on the second floor, according to CNN Philippines.
All terminals at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, located about a mile from the resort, were placed on lockdown due to the attack.
As U.S. President Donald Trump was about to deliver a statement in the Rose Garden of the White House on America’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, he first offered his “thoughts and prayers to all those affected” in Manila. “We’re closely monitoring the situation…it is really very sad as to what is gong on throughout the world with terror,” the president said.
This is a developing story.