The man behind the attack of Resorts World Manila is said to have had spiraling debt and a gambling addiction, Philippine police said. Jessie Carlos Javier, a 42-year old man described as a “lone gunman”, killed at least 37 people in his rampage. ISIS took credit for the attack, but police tell a much different story.
Manila police chief, Oscar Albayalde, said that Mr. Javier had been laid off from his job, which led to the separation of his wife.
Javier’s estranged wife had excluded him from Philippine casinos, due to his gambling addiction, according to Southern Police District Chief Tomas Apolinario Jr.
How the Resorts World Manila Casino Attack Happened
Jessie Carlos Javier attacked Resorts World Manila, an upmarket casino near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. When the assailant entered the casino, a single security guard noted his entrance, but panicked because of his weaponry, according to some reports.
Resorts World Manila CEO Stephen Reilly disputes the characterization of the security staff. Reilly said that internal security are not armed with handguns, though outside security guards are. He said that security staff inside the casino are trained not to engage gunmen, for fear of escalating an incident in a crowded room of civilians.
Once he was inside, Mr. Javier fired gunshots, stashed millions of dollars worth of casino chips into his backpack, and set fire to the gaming tables. Meanwhile, customers panicked and ran from the building. Unfortunately, 37 were not able to escape before being overcome by smoke inhalation.
ISIS Claims of Casino Attack Disputed
CNN terrorist analyst Paul Cruickshank suggested that the ISIS claims should be doubted. He noted that Islamic State’s first statement got key details wrong, as if they were unaware of the plans behind the attack.
Mr. Cruickshank said, “Until any actual proof emerges that ISIS or any other terrorist actor had a role in what police have described as a non-terrorism-related attack, one has to be skeptical of the ISIS claim.”
Stole Chips and Set Fire to Gaming Tables
The story has evolved since first reports emerged, as it was a confusing crime scene. The police suggested in early reports that Javier tried to steal a cache of casino chips from the storage locker. Albayalde even said the lone gunman had stolen over $2.3 million in chips before he was confronted by police.
Details of what happened next are confusing. Philippine police said he set fire to Room 501 of Resorts World Casino’s hotel, dousing himself with gasoline and burning himself alive. Video has emerged since showing Jessie Carlos Javier setting fire to several casino tables inside the gaming space.
Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound
Two days later, Philippine police have changed their story on the cause of death. They say now that Mr. Javier died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It is possible Javier set fire to a hotel room and shot himself, but the changing details has led to some confusion and controversy.
Islamic State’s Version of Events
Meanwhile, ISIS has taken credit for the attack, an assertion that Philippine police dispute. Islamic State has a presence in Mindanoa, one of the larger islands among the 1000-plus islands of the Philippines. Recently, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanoa and sent in the army to root out ISIS.
In a statement to Amaq News Agency, Islamic State’s East Asia Division said that “Islamic State fighters carried out” the attack on Resorts World Manila. ISIS described the assailant as Abou al-Kheir al-Arkhebieli, whom it boasted had “killed or wounded” many Christians before he “took his life.”
Albayalde on Gambling Addiction and Robbery
Police Chief Albayalde disputed the ISIS statement, saying of the police version of events, which highlights gambling addiction and robbery over terrorism, “This is the truth. This is all the truth.”
Chief Albayalde said, “They can always claim whatever they want to claim. They have this reputation of claiming all atrocities all over the world to perpetuate themselves to gain global notoriety. There is no truth that the incident is a terror act.”
37 People Died at Resorts World Manila
What is not disputed is that 37 patrons of Resorts World Manila died in the attack. Most died from suffocation as they tried to escape from the fire. Video showed Jessie Carlos Javier setting fire to several gaming tables. He also fired shots with an assault rifle.
