The Philippine National Police ruled out terrorism as the motive behind the shooting rampage at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City, early Friday morning.

"Hindi ito act of terror. Wala 'yung elemento ng violence, threat, at intimidation that leads to terrorism," PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa told reporters.

(This was not an act of terror. There was no element of violence, threat or intimidation that leads to terrorism.)

He added: "'Yung guwardiya na humabol sa kanya, hinarang siya, hindi niya sinaktan."

Dela Rosa said the man, who appeared to be acting alone, walked into one of the gambling rooms and fired the rifle at a large television screen, then poured gasoline onto a gambling table and set it alight.

He said the man then fired again at a stock room containing gambling chips and filled a backpack with them.

Metro Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde said the gunman had tried to steal 113 million pesos ($2.3 million) worth of gambling chips, although he left the backpack on the ground near the stock room.

After firing shots, burning casino tables, and ransacking the casino's chip room, the gunman locked himself in a room in the Maxim's Hotel where he set fire to himself, Dela Rosa said.

"(Sa room) 510, sinunog niya na sarili niya that led to his death... 'Kung terorista siya, dapat nagbaril na siya dun... dapat nagsuot na lang siya ng bomba," he said.

Dela Rosa also downplayed reports that the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

"They can claim whatever propaganda they want to show the world, but we cannot declare that this is a terror related incident kasi wala naman siya sinaktan," he said.

LONE GUNMAN

The police chief also denied civilians' claims that the attacker had cohorts in the area.

"Confused lang 'yung mga tao sa loob dahil sumunod kyung mga SWAT na nakaitim akala nila ISIS na 'yun," he said.

At least 54 people were hurt in the incident and were brought to the
nearby hospitals of San Juan De Dios, Villamor, Pasay General, and St. Lukes.