PNP probe on casino rampage starts

MANILA, Philippines - As the investigation on the Resorts World Manila (RWM) attack began, security officers of the upscale establishment went to Camp Crame yesterday and met with a ranking official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) unit in charge of all security agencies’ operations to explain the series of events that led to the death of 38 people, including gunman Jessie Javier Carlos.       

Representatives of the NC Lanting Security Specialist Agency (NCLSSA) met with Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) deputy chief Senior Supt. Ildebrandi Usana to give details on what happened before, during and after the attack and why they failed to prevent the loss of lives early last Friday.

Usana said SOSIA, which is also in charge of approving the permit to operate of security agencies and licenses of security guards, is now looking into the possible lapses that may have been committed by NCLSSA’s security officers detailed at the Resorts World Manila when Carlos stormed the premises, stole casino chips and set gambling tables and premises on fire.

“We are looking at whether there are security operations violated which may lead to cancellation or revocation of their licenses,” Usana said, without giving any timeline as to when the investigation would be concluded.

“The fastest that we could get things done is by the end of this week,” he said.

SOP violation

Another SOSIA official, who did not want to be identified, said standard operation procedure was apparently not followed, which led to the death of 37 hotel guests and employees.

Based on closed circuit television (CCTV) footage they have viewed, Usana said wearing of proper uniform for security guards inside the casino was apparently violated. The guards were shown wearing barong instead.

Usana pointed out that NCLSSA should have secured first a special permit from SOSIA if security guards were to wear special or civilian uniforms while on duty.

“Any alteration of the uniform of security guards has to be approved first by SOSIA,” he said, adding that Resorts World Manila’s security “had no such permission.”

CCTV footage also showed that a female guard at the entrance of the casino who tried to prevent Carlos from entering the premises was wearing barong.

The female guard was not able to do anything when the suspect walked past the metal detector and proceeded to the gambling area brandishing his long firearm.

Usana explained that SOSIA would first focus on the administrative violations of the security agency that could have led or contributed to the tragedy. – With Robertzon Ramirez, Evelyn Macairan