Duterte says casino attack 'is not the work' of Daesh

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday rejected claims the attack on a casino complex that killed 37 people in a fire was the work of the Daesh terrorist organization.

"That is not the work of the Daesh," Duterte, referring to the terrorist movement by its other acronym, said before visiting a wake for victims of Friday's attack at Resorts World Manila.

"The work of the Daesh is more cruel and brutal," he added. "They will kill people for nothing, not even for a reason."

Authorities have yet to identify the gunman, but Daesh claimed in an online statement that the assailant was a jihadist with the nom de guerre Abu al-Kheir of the Archipelago, suggesting he was from the Philippines.