Reports of explosions, gunfire at Manila resort

Police are responding to reported explosions and gunfire at a major resort in the Philippines.

In a series of statements posted on Twitter, Resort World Manila (RWM) said unidentified gunmen had been reported at the resort and that Philippine National Police were on the scene.

“Resorts World Manila is currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men,” one tweet reads.

“The Company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe.”

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

— Resorts World Manila (@rwmanila) June 1, 2017

The Company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe.

— Resorts World Manila (@rwmanila) June 1, 2017

RWM is a major resort complex and tourist destination near Manila International Airport. The attack was first reported by CNN Philippines.

According to CNN, police, firetrucks and SWAT teams were seen near the resort in the early hours of Friday morning. 

{mosads}It was not immediately clear who is responsible for the reported violence or what the motive might be. The U.S. State Department issued a notice to travelers on Thursday, warning them to avoid the area and monitor local news.

“#Manila #Philippines – reports of explosions/gunfire at Resorts World Manila, near the Manila Intl Airport. Avoid area & monitor local news,” the agency’s Bureau of Consular Services wrote on Twitter.

#Manila #Philippines – reports of explosions/gunfire at Resorts World Manila, near the Manila Intl Airport. Avoid area & monitor local news.

— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) June 1, 2017

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the island of Mindanao in the southern part of the country last week, amid fighting between government forces and Islamist militants linked to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Duterte has floated the prospect of expanding martial law nationwide, saying at a news conference last week that he “would not hesitate to do anything and everything.”

“I will not allow abuses,” he said, according to The Washington Post. “The courts will stay open. But to anyone holding a gun or confronting the government with violence, my orders are, ‘Spare no one.’ ”

— Updated at 2:39 p.m.