Explosions and gunshots heard at an entertainment resort in Manila – UPDATE

Explosions and gunshots were heard at an entertainment resort in the Philippines capital Manila early on Friday and armed police were deployed to the scene, local media reported.

UPDATE: The Philippines’ police chief said on Friday there was no indication the shooting incident at a Manila gaming resort was related to terrorism and it may have been a robbery.

Ronald dela Rosa said police were in control of the situation and it was possible Islamic State would claim responsibility for the incident to serve its propaganda.

He told DZMM radio that a lone gunman entered the gaming area at Resorts World and set some tables on fire. The gunshots, he said, were not aimed at people in the room.

“We cannot say this is an act of terror … he did not hurt anyone,” he said. “If you are a terrorist you will sow terror.”

UPDATE: The Philippine armed forces said police were in full control of an incident at an entertainment resort in the capital Manila early on Friday and the military was monitoring the situation.

A fire was burning on the second floor of the Resorts World building, Fire Protection bureau spokesman Ian Manalo said.

Local media reported gunmen inside the building, gunshots and explosions. Police have yet to provide details.

“We are monitoring the situation. The police is on top of the situation. We will issue a statement when we have a complete picture of the incident,” military spokesman Restituto Padilla said.

UPDATE: Gun shots and explosions rang out in an entertainment resort in the Philippine capital Manila early on Friday as local media reported armed men were inside the complex.

Resorts World Manila said on social media it was in lockdown and police were in control of the situation.

Witnesses who spoke to radio stations said several gunmen were seen in the complex. News channel ANC said there were two gunmen, wearing masks and black clothes.

The information could not be immediately verified.

Pictures circulated on social media of the resort, close to the city’s airport, of plumes of smoke pouring out of a building.

A source at one of the resorts told Reuters employees were being evacuated and declined to give more details.

Pictures circulated on social media of the resort, close to the city’s airport, of plumes of smoke pouring out of a building.

A source at one of the resorts told Reuters employees were being evacuated and declined to give more details. He said police were now in full control of the situation.

.@rwmanila Resorts World Manila is currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) June 1, 2017

Witness: Gunman wearing mask opened fire at people | @camilleabadicio https://t.co/q30c2Kllht

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) June 1, 2017

Smoke is also seen coming from the building | LIVE: https://t.co/q30c2Kllht

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) June 1, 2017

JUST IN: Fire trucks outside Resorts World Manila, where gunfire and explosions can be heard | @camilleabadicio

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) June 1, 2017

The Philippines is facing a crisis in the south of the country, where troops have been battling Islamist rebels since May 23. President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law on the southern island of Mindanao last week.

Duterte has said he fears militant group Islamic State’s “terrible ideology” will spread on Mindanao, an island of 22 million people, and has warned it could become a haven for supporters fleeing Iraq and Syria.