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[F0rneus]

Source

Gunfire and explosions have been heard at the Resorts World Manila in the Philippines, CNN Philippines reported.

Police, fire trucks and SWAT teams were seen in the area at about 1:30 a.m. local time Friday.
Resorts World Manila, also known as RWM, is a resort complex in Newport City with numerous hotels, restaurants and bars.
Tourists flock to the RWM for its casino, shopping mall, cinema and theater. The complex, which is described on RWM's website as "the first and largest integrated resort in the Philippines," is located across from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The Philippines has been grappling with incidents of terrorism, especially on the southern island of Mindanao. There, in the city of Marawi, government forces have been battling ISIS-linked militants for control of the city.
The battle for Marawi, a largely Muslim city, has displaced at least 70,000 residents and left 140 people dead. The terrorist siege unfolded last week as Muslims worldwide began to mark the holy month of Ramadan.

 

[Head of Vengarl]

Oh shit. This sounds like it could be even more serious than the last attack, since it's in a heavy tourist area.

 

[sphagnum]

At the very least, unlike with innocent people in the drug war, Duterte probably won't go heavy handed against the Muslim population in retaliation right? IIRC he's been friendly to them and is asking communist and Muslim groups to help combat the terrorists.

 

[Syder]

At the very least, unlike with innocent people in the drug war, Duterte probably won't go heavy handed against the Muslim population in retaliation right? IIRC he's been friendly to them and is asking communist and Muslim groups to help combat the terrorists.

I wouldn't put anything past Duterte.

 

[sakuori]

Goddamnit I was about to sleep when my mom told me about it earlier. Worst thing is, people are speculating that it's IS behind the attack which is not helping at all.

Man, it's scary to go to work later. @@

 

[JaseMath]

Bad guys, please stop.

 

[F0rneus]

Goddamnit I was about to sleep when my mom told me about it earlier. Worst thing is, people are speculating that it's IS behind the attack which is not helping at all.

Man, it's scary to go to work later. @@

Be careful out there. This is such a shitty situation.

 

[Oriel]

Fucking hell.

 

[CanUKlehead]

Oh man...this is awful. In addition, my dad's moving to the RP, in Manila, for business purposes, definitely scares me.

 

[addik]

A friend was watching a movie there when it happened. Apparently, things are under control at the mall at least since the police were able to evacuate them with ease.

In other news, though, there's a fire by a Bureau of Customs warehouse. Not sure if these two are connected, but we're all tense in the office here at a network station I work at.

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

Situation over there has gotten ugly, fast.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...ne-military-tries-to-regain-control-of-marawi

At the very least, unlike with innocent people in the drug war, Duterte probably won't go heavy handed against the Muslim population in retaliation right? IIRC he's been friendly to them and is asking communist and Muslim groups to help combat the terrorists.

As an aside, the article contains a baffling new rape joke from the Philippine president. He says that the soldiers entering the city should simply "do their jobs" when establishing martial law, and if they have to rape anyone, he'll take the blame.

A reminder that Duterte is still a detestable scumbag, and that ISIS does not care about your country's laws or your activity in the middle East - they want land and subjects.

 

[Spoiled Milk]

In Manila? That doesn't make any sense. That's like 150 miles from Mindanao.

 

[ultratruman]

Duterte Keepin Us Safe

 

[darkwing]

yikes, I fear Martial Law will be implemented throughout the country because of this

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

In Manila? That doesn't make any sense. That's like 150 miles from Mindanao.

Terrorism is an act of coercion. Most of the Muslim population of Mindanao has fled the area, they need new victims to continue spreading fear

yikes, I fear Martial Law will be implemented throughout the country because of this

From the NPR story I linked above:

President Rodrigo Duterte announced Tuesday he was imposing a 60-day period of martial law in the southern Philippines. He also suggested he may expand it nationwide, saying "it would not be any different from what President Marcos did," referring to the country's longtime dictator, who declared martial law in 1972.

Quoting dictators, I can't imagine what could go wrong.

 

[F0rneus]

Quoting dictators, I can't imagine what could go wrong.

Oh damn.....Take care Phillipines GAF

 

[darkwing]

hooray for arrests not requiring warrants soon

remember , 86% approval rating

 

[TacticalHotdog]

Goddamnit I was about to sleep when my mom told me about it earlier. Worst thing is, people are speculating that it's IS behind the attack which is not helping at all.

Man, it's scary to go to work later. @@

Considering what's going on in Marawi right now and the fact that IS has been calling for attacks during Ramadan, it would be reasonable to assume that it is IS related. There have been reports of foreign fighters in Marawi, so there may be a legitimate link between the local groups that have pledged alliance and ISIS proper.

 

[Tugatrix]

I'm seeing Duterte taking a ride with this like the opportunistic he is

 

[Amagon]

Send in Rainbow 6

 

[Barrel Cannon]

Man this is so depressing.

Send in Rainbow 6

edit: Be a little sensitive will you...

 

[ss_lemonade]

Fuck, this is getting closer and closer to home

Considering what's going on in Marawi right now and the fact that IS has been calling for attacks during Ramadan, it would be reasonable to assume that it is IS related. There have been reports of foreign fighters in Marawi, so there may be a legitimate link between the local groups that have pledged alliance and ISIS proper.

Some Duterte supporters actually believe that the Marawi situation was caused by local terrorists and private armies from other politicians, not IS related. Basically spouting anything to try and link everything with the past administration (yellow or whatever term they love to use) whenever they can, and the rest just gobble up such news as truth. Everything else from the mainstream media is considered fake news to them

 

[jstripes]

Fuck, this is getting closer and closer to home

Some Duterte supporters actually believe that the Marawi situation was caused by local terrorists and private armies from other politicians, not IS related. Basically spouting anything to try and link everything with the past administration (yellow or whatever term they love to use) whenever they can, and the rest just gobble up such news as truth. Everything else from the mainstream media is considered fake news to them

Just like in the US.

Wonderful.

 

[ss_lemonade]

As an aside, the article contains a baffling new rape joke from the Philippine president. He says that the soldiers entering the city should simply "do their jobs" when establishing martial law, and if they have to rape anyone, he'll take the blame.

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/06/01/Duterte-slams-critics-Clinton-daughter.html

I'm sorry. I really have no idea what is it with rape and our President, and why such a way of talking is considered ok with his supporters (which is almost like the majority of the country).

 

[Brinbe]

smfh. awful news that hits close to home. Shit is only gonna get worse.

 

[geestack]

Quoting dictators, I can't imagine what could go wrong.

what is insane about this is that people who once stood against marcos are now cheering for duterte:

Looking For Right And Wrong In The Philippines

author talks to his relatives about duterte and they all support him despite protesting against marcos

 

[pHand]

Naturally, Trump condemned it as a terrorist attack before any real details had been confirmed. The latest news suggests that it's not terror related: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/901899/dela-rosa-denies-resorts-world-attack-carried-out-by-isis

Right now the police are saying no one was shot, though some people were injured in the chaos. The motive appears to be robbery since the lone suspect was seen stuffing a backpack full of casino chips.

 

[F0rneus]

36 dead.

May the victims rest in peace. Killer set himself on fire.

 

[sleverfunk]

IIRC most of bodies died due to suffocation.
Rip to the victims.
Duterte will ride on this and extend the martial law nationwide.

 

[Jackpot]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/02/manila-casino-attack-philippines

Witnesses tell of panic as 'botched robbery' unfolded

As the fires were still raging, Donald Trump characterised the incident as a ”terrorist attack". Later on Friday Isis claimed responsibility via its Amaq news agency.

Offering an alternative theory, the fire department told local media that the suspect had been a ”longtime guest" at the casino hotel and suggested the motive may have been retaliation for losing significant gambling money. Philippine police, however, said it was a botched robbery.

”All indications point to a criminal act by an apparently emotionally disturbed individual," Ernesto Abella, a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte, told reporters.

On Friday evening in Manila, key questions remained unanswered. It had not even been confirmed if the assailant had meant to kill. ”Although the perpetrator gave warning shots, there apparently was no indication that he wanted to do harm or shoot anyone," Abella said.

A guard accidentally shot himself during the raid, according to authorities, but there were no other firearm attacks. An employee at a nearby hospital said no patients had bullet wounds.

”That's why they died of suffocation because they hid instead of exiting. Instead of rushing to the fire exit, they hid from the exploding bullets," he said. ”The sprinkler system functioned so the fire did not spread. The problem was the smoke."

Police director general Ronald dela Rosa said he walked right past a guard and fired bullets at televisions, before shooting a door to the storage room where gambling chips were kept.

The suspect, described as 6ft and ”foreign-looking" by Dela Rosa, ”took the chips [and] put them inside his backpack, but eventually left it". He said at least 113m Philippine pesos (£1.7m) in chips were taken but police did not comment on why the gunmen might steal them. Casino tokens are often specific to the business where they are used and have no outside value.

Raises questions over the recommended response to a mass shooter. All the infomercials say run, else hide, else fight.

 

[NastyBook]

RIP to the victims.

 

[Head of Vengarl]

RIP to those poor people.

Also

According to security footage viewed by police, the gunman entered via the parking lot. Police later searched a car and found registration information which they haven't made public.

The attacker walked straight into the building, past a lone security guard who panicked when she saw the suspect's automatic rifle, Albayalde said.

Reilly said only guards on the complex's perimeter are armed. Internal security officers don't carry weapons, and didn't try to engage the suspect, fearing escalation of the situation, he said.

...I hope our Las Vegas casinos have better security than that. An armed guy just walked right past their guards with no resistance.