Following last week’s attack at the Resorts World Manila that left 38 dead and 54 injured, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation regulator has reportedly suspended the venue’s casino license pending the results of an official probe.
According to a report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper, Resorts World Manila was immediately closed in the wake of the June 2 incident, which saw former government employee Jessie Javier Carlos storm the property while shooting at security guards and setting fires, and has yet to re-open.
The newspaper reported that Andrea Domingo, Chief Executive Officer for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, issued the “cease and desist” order to Resorts World Manila operator Travellers International Hotel Group Incorporated in the early hours of June 9 and she stated that the directive is to remain in effect “pending [an] investigation and final determination” of the operator’s liability and “compliance with all security, safety and gaming operations requirements.”
“With the suspension, Resorts World Manila must cease and desist all gaming operations while investigation on its liability regarding the June 2 incident is ongoing,” read a statement from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. “The said suspension will remain until Resorts World Manila rectifies its serious security lapses and deficiencies, which caused not only the loss of lives and damaged properties but also placed the Philippine gaming, tourism and hospitality industries in bad light.”
Prior to the fatal Resorts World Manila incident, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation had ordered all of the nation’s casinos to strengthen their security protocols and abide by local curfew ordinances after late-May saw members of a radical Islamist group rampage through the Mindanao city of Marawi. Despite this instruction, the newspaper reported that the 1,574-room Manila facility had only one security guard posted at its entrance at the time of the attack.
“Non-compliance with the order shall cause the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to impose other sanctions as may be warranted under existing laws,” read the regulator’s statement. “The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation is also requiring all integrated resorts to submit security and safety protocols to make sure that this will not happen again. As the country’s gaming regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation will continue to safeguard the interest not only of all gaming industry players but also of all guests, tourists and other stakeholders involved.”