ABS-CBN vows‘full cooperation’

The management of the television network ABS-CBN declared last night it will fully cooperate with the government in the investigation of yesterday’s stampede in Pasig City that left at least 73 people dead.

ABS-CBN chairman and chief executive officer Gabby Lopez and other network executives held a press conference at its main offfices last night to assure the public that the network will do its best to help those affected by the tragedy.

"ABS-CBN deeply regrets the very unfortunate incident that happened at the (Philsports Arena in Pasig City) as thousands of people flocked to watch (the game show) ‘Wowowee.’ We sympathize with the families and loved ones of the victims," ABS-CBN’s statement read.

As of press time, there were 238 persons reported missing and 73 have been confirmed dead.

Rene Luspo, ABS-CBN head of security, said they deployed enough security personnel to ensure the safety of the people who trooped to the stadium to attend the game show’s first anniversary celebration.

"We anticipated not a normal crowd, (but) an unruly crowd," said Luspo, who pointed out that "unruliness" of the crowd at the stadium was beyond what they expected.

He said the crowd swelled to 25,000 to 30,000, or five times the number of the average crowd they entertain daily at the network’s studio in Quezon City.

Luspo added that they have dealt with the same volume of people in different provinces but no violence took place.

He also defended ABS-CBN’s security guards, saying they did more than they were tasked to do.

Luspo noted that apart from about 100 guards from ABS-CBN, Philsports Arena’s management had sent about 60 more guards to manage the crowd. Personnel from the Metro Manila Development Authority and local police were also deployed to the stadium.

"Their clothes (uniform) will tell how much they did to help. I’m proud of my boys. They did their best," he said.

ABS-CBN Foundation’s Tina Palma said over 400 persons were treated at different hospitals for injuries sustained during the stampede. She said there were 276 patients at the Rizal Medical Center, 150 at the Medical City and 49 at the Pasig General Hospital.

"Some of them have been sent home while three remain in critical condition at the Medical City," Palma said.

Charo Santos-Concio, the network’s executive vice president and entertainment group chief, defended ABS-CBN’s sponsorship of "Wowowee," which some viewed encouraged dependency and mendicancy.

"We ourselves join in some games. We want to entertain and help people," Santos-Concio said.