Resorts World Manila on lockdown following sounds of gunfire, explosions

He said the suspect shot at the giant LED TV screen upon entering the casino and opened fire in the air inside room where the casino chips were being stored.

But the incident was most likely a robbery gone wrong, Dela Rosa said, pointing out the man did not shoot at anyone and appeared to be intent just on stealing gambling chips.

A commercial center in Manila was placed on lockdown early Friday after witnesses reported hearing gunfire and explosions at a mall, casino and hotel complex in the Philippine capital near its airport.

The Resorts World complex is located opposite one of the terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the main airport in the country.

One US official reportedly said that Trump was "freelancing" when he associated the incident with terrorism and that "a laugh went up in the Situation Room" afterwards.

"Our assessment is he burned himself".

The police chief says none of the dead bodies had gunshot wounds.

Dozens of people were hurt, according to the Manila Times.

"Don't panic, this is not a cause for alarm".

The police chief confirmed his original statement to the AP that there is "no concrete evidence that the attack was terrorism" - despite President Trump's opening remarks while announcing the USA withdrawal from the Paris accord on climate change.

"We are looking into a robbery angle because he did not hurt any people and went straight to the casino chips storage room".

Police said the gunman was tall with a pale complexion and spoke English.

Armed police were deployed around the casino, prompting the officials to lockdown the resort.

Video on social media shows hotel guests streaming from entrances of the resorts.

Resorts World Manila has called the casino shooting a "cowardly act of a deranged mind".

"What we're seeing is smoke coming out of the building", she said.

The attack came as the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte battled with militants in Marawi City in southern Philippines.

In Washington before announcing that the US was pulling out from the Paris climate agreement, President Trump called the incident a "terrorist attack" and said he was closely monitoring the situation.

"The safety and security of USA citizens overseas is one of our highest priorities".

OVER 30 KILLED At least 34 people were found dead in the casino complex after a gunman started a fire in the building on Thursday night, Philippine police said.

Gil Yonco, 54, stood weeping in the street at around 5 a.m.

Police are searching the suspect's auto, parked on the second floor.

He tried calling back but there was no answer. "I am very anxious as a parent, I need to find her", he said.

Witnesses spoke of hearing gunshots and blasts at the hotel in the Philippine capital.