Philippines police are set to file criminal charges against Resorts World Manila management and security personnel this week over the 2 June attack that saw 38 people killed, according to the Director of Metro Manila Police.
Oscar Albayalde told a Manila forum that charges of negligence would be laid against a number of parties following a request from the families of three of the victims, adding that the case was strong due to admissions by RWM’s security firm, NC Lanting Security Specialist, that they had failed to monitor closed circuit TV monitors during the attack.
“The Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies will finalize and submit today or tomorrow their findings, which means they are ready to file charges of negligence resulting in multiple homicides,” The Manila Times reported Albayalde as saying.
“Security lapse could be blamed for everything probably. A security person admitted that he left the CCTV immediately. He could have seen people on the second floor at the VIP room and they could have been saved. All the 37 [victims] died because of suffocation.”
In a statement released on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, RWM operator Travellers International Hotel Group said, “The Company cannot comment as it has not received the final report of the Philippine National Police.”
It added, “The proposals for settlement are under study by the Company.”
RWM has reportedly already paid Php1 million to the families of each of the 37 victims and is paying for medical treatment for another 67 injured individuals.
Philippine gaming regulator Pagcor last week lifted a suspension on RWM’s gaming license that had been in place since 9 June.
