Manila: Unidentified masked gunmen attacked Resorts World Manila in Philippines around early hours of Friday, causing injuries among the hotel and casino guests who scampered after the shooting.
Witnesses said they saw masked gunmen attacked the hotel. Gunman reportedly broke into the casino of the hotel.
Police are already in the scene. Parts of the hotel is on fire, agencies reported.
Witnesses said they heard somebody shouted “IS.” There were reportedly two masked men armed with long guns.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, but Rita Katz, director of Site Intelligence Group, which tracks extremist propaganda, claimed that a Filipino operative of the Islamic State had said “lone wolf soldiers” were responsible.
Armed police were deployed around the casino, prompting the officials to lockdown the resort.
Social media was abuzz with pictures showing plumes of smoke emanating from the Resort World Manila, which is close to the city’s airport.
Resorts World Manila is an integrated resort located in Newport City opposite the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
The Resorts World issued a statement after the shooting saying the hotel is “currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men.”
“The company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe,” the statement read.
Some witnesses said they heard gunshots, so they hid in the bathroom.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law last week across the southern region of Mindanao to crush what he said was a rising threat of Islamic State there.
He declared martial law shortly after militants went on a rampage through the southern city of Marawi, which is about 800 kilometres (500 miles) south of Manila.