The man behind Friday's deadly attack on a casino in the Philippine capital Manila has been identified as Jessie Carlos Javier, a 42-year-old Filipino, police said on Sunday.

The gunman burst into the Resorts World Manila entertainment complex early on Friday, firing shots and setting gaming tables on fire. A total of 37 people died from smoke inhalation.

"He is heavily indebted due to being hooked on casino gambling," Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde told reporters.

People light candles during a memorial for those killed in a casino fire in Manila,  the Philippines, June 2, 2017. /VCG Photo‍

"This is not an act of terrorism," reiterated Albayalde on Sunday, though ISIL has claimed responsibility through a report on its self-styled Amaq news agency saying its "fighters" carried out the attack.

Earlier on Saturday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte also said that ISIL was not behind the attack. 

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