Philippine police are leaning against terrorism as a motive for the siege at the Resorts World Manila hotel and casino complex.  Authorities found the bodies of 36 people in the aftermath.

Most of the victims appear to have died of smoke inhalation from the fires the gunman set in the casino.  The suspect, now dead, stormed the building in the overnight hours firing shots from an assault weapon and setting fires.  Police say he filled a rucksack with gambling chips worth more than AU$3 Million.  Authorities released CCTV images of the suspect taken in a stairwell.

Philippine National Police

But the plan, if he had one, was bungled.  The man fled to the hotel section of the complex, abandoning the bag and entering a hotel room. 

"He lay down on the bed, covered himself with a thick blanket, apparently poured petrol on the blanket and burned himself," said Philippine National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa.  A statement from Resorts World Manila said he shot himself after setting the bed ablaze.

Although terrorist monitoring groups reported that the so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, the gunman didn't shoot anyone in the casino or hotel guests - and he certainly had the opportunity to do so.

Terrorism remains a major concern.  Philippine troops are fighting an Islamic State-backed insurgency on the southern island of Mindanao, with foreign fighters causing havoc in Marawi city.