Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21) — Three House committees that investigated the Resorts World Manila attack are studying recommendations to file charges against the hotel casino staff.
On the last day of the investigation Wednesday, the committees on tourism, public safety, and gaming and entertainment agreed to file reports after holding two inquiries last June 8 and June 14.
Committee on Games and Amusement chairman Gus Tambunting said lawmakers were able to clarify why and how the incident happened, and what should be done to prevent a repeat of the incident incident.
A lone gunman, later identified as Jessie Carlos, managed to enter the luxury hotel and casino in Parañaque City on June 2, setting gaming tables on fire, stealing millions worth of chips, and firing warning shots. Thirty-seven people died mainly from suffocation, while Carlos burned himself to death, police said.
Tambunting said the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) law needs to be reviewed.
PEZA issued the fire safety and building permits for Resorts World Manila.
Lawmakers also learned the hotel casino’s security chief, Armeen Gomez, used his brother’s name “Armeen Alain Gomez”, and that his real name is “Armenio Gomez Jr.”
Gomez refused to disclose other information.
Possible looting
A lawmaker raised the possibility of thieves looting victims of the tragedy.
Surigao del Norte Representative Johnny Pimentel raised this after he was told by Pampanga Representative Aurelio Gonzales that his wife’s watch and automated teller machine (ATM) cards were missing.
Gonzales’ wife, Elizabeth, was among those who died in the attack.
Pimentel added that he was told ₱25,000 were withdrawn from one of the ATM accounts three days after the incident.
“Meaning, somebody used the ATM, ginamit ‘yun, nag-withdraw. That’s why I’m asking sinong unang pumasok?” he asked the respondents.
[Translation: That means, somebody used the ATM, used it, and withdrew. That’s why I’m asking who arrived at the scene first?]
But the Philippine National Police said casino security and staff, as well as MMDA rescuers were among the first in the premises, so relatives should get back items recovered from the crime scene.
“Kung buo po ang personal belongings, SOCO will remove them then custody is turned over to investigator. Pag kinuha ng relative, they should be able to get back the personal belongings,” Metro Manila Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said.
[Translation: If the personal belongings are undamaged, SOCO will remove them then custody is turned over to the investigator. If the relative wants to get the belongings back, they should be able to.]
Resorts World, meanwhile, reported ₱300 million worth of chips are still unaccounted for.
Resorts World casino to operate again?
Nonetheless, the casino is prepared to resume operations.
Related: Solon pushes for casino entrance fees, $1 million in penalties on operators
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) suspended the provisional license given to Travellers International Hotel Group, which is operating casinos and gaming facilities under Resorts World Manila on June 9.
PAGCOR is waiting for a request from the management to lift the suspension order.
“I told them to make that formal request for the lifting of the suspension, then we’ll prepare checklist for safe environment, then they’ll assure us underoath that they have fulfilled all of this” PAGCOR Chairperson Andrea Domingo said.
Read more: PAGCOR: Resorts World Manila may lose franchise if found negligent
Resorts World contributes some ₱14 million to the gaming sector every month.
If allowed to reopen, Resorts World informed PAGCOR, the second floor of the casino will never be used again.
All victims were found dead in the second floor.
