New security measures to ensure safety for all in MM

The recent incident at Resorts World Manila — a lone gunman entered the casino premises, armed with an assault rifle and some amount of inflammable liquid, firing random shots and burning tables, carpets, slot machines among other things, resulting in the death of 37 people suffocated by smoke inhalation, and of the gunman himself by suicide — is indeed a wake-up call for all concerned.

Police authorities have ruled out the incident as a terrorist attack; they say it was only a robbery attempt by a mentally disturbed man who, reportedly, was a big loser in the casino. This was because the gunman did not shoot at people; he only robbed some P113 million worth of chips before engaging the police in a gunfight.

But I agree with Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez: it was a terrorist attack. An act of terrorism is not limited to a terror crime committed by a group or groups; such a crime may also be expertly done by even just one person, with any device at his disposal. In this case, the gunman had
his assault rifle and container of inflammable liquid. He was wearing a combat suit, bonnet and mask, just like anyone out for a battle would do.

A terrorist does not need to shoot at people to be called one, but he can create situations by which the end result will also be death to a big number of people. As in the case of the gunman, he burned things to create smoke that he probably knew would
also have the same result and that is death by suffocation. By firing random shots, he succeeded in creating panic among the people inside. Pandemonium broke loose and, in the process, many more got injured. Just like any terrorist who gives up his life for some deranged goal, the gunman committed suicide, burning and shooting himself as he laid, covered with a blanket. He chose not to surrender.

With our armed forces still at war with the Maute Group in Marawi City, I hope our government will also draw up more comprehensive plans to secure our big hotels and other business establishments in Metro Manila and other cities to prevent a repeat of this incident. For all we know, real terrorist groups might pick up the idea from the attack that the “lone wolf” did.

THERESA PILI-NISPEROS, Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila