Lady guard recounts encounter with Resorts World attacker

CCTV footage shows Jessie Carlos, the gunman who went on rampage inside the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on June 2, 2017. (PNA photo courtesy of Southern Police District)

MANILA — The lady security guard at the second floor parking entrance of the Resorts World Manila on Wednesday recounted her confrontation with lone gunman Jessie Javier Carlos, who managed to enter and wreak havoc within the hotel casino premises.

Mary Grace Rayala from the NC Security Specialist Agency appeared before lawmakers during the second hearing on the Resorts World attack last June 2 that resulted in the deaths of 37 guests and employees.

Rayala said she attempted to block and challenge Carlos, who was clad with a black jacket and mask while carrying a rifle. Rayala said the gunman evaded the security checks and metal detectors.

“May pumasok na tao hindi po siya dumaan sa walkthrough metal detector. So in-attempt ko siyang harangin. Chinallenge ko po yung tao. Nakita ko po siya naka-bonnet yung mukha niya at habang kinkumpronta ko siya nakita ko po meron siyang dalang baril,” Rayala said.

Rayala said another roving guard encountered Carlos and confronted the gunman. However, Carlos aimed his gun at the roving guard who like Rayala failed to stop the suspect.

Rayala opted to run at the back and immediately made an emergency radio call on the situation, quoting her report to the units as: “Emergency all units. May nakapasok na lalaki, naka-bonnet, may mahabang baril, papunta sa direksyon ng casino.”

During the same hearing, a CCTV footage with audio recording showed the assailant placing a bag of ammunition on casino gaming table which he set fire. The bullets exploded due to the heat from the torched tables.

Resorts World Manila president Kingson Sian said the recording will provide a “better picture” to contextualize the casino attack, wherein a “situation of fear” was created. Hence, most of the victims who hid in the VIP salon refused to come out of their hiding places.

“Based on our expert’s testament, around 300 rounds were fired or heard in the audio,” Sian said.