NBI reviews ‘Wowowee’ tapes

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) began its review yesterday of taped past episodes of the noontime show "Wowowee" to determine if host Willie Revilliame could be held liable in the deaths of 71 people who perished in a stampede outside the Philippine Sports Arena on Feb. 4.

However, Head Agent Rosauro Bautista, NBI-National Capital Region executive officer for operations, said they would invite Revilliame to the NBI to explain his side.

"We believe that he wants to clarify it so we believe that he will cooperate," he said.

Bautista said they hope to shed light on allegations that Revilliame promised the public millions worth of prizes if they went to the Philsports Arena for the show’s first anniversary presentation.

"We are reviewing the tapes to know what the hosts said to the audience and viewers of the show days before its first anniversary celebration," he said.

"Why did they go to Ultra?" he asked "What did the show promise them? Ang tao hindi pupunta at lilinya kung walang dahilan (People will not go and queue without any reason)."

A private monitoring agency had furnished them with copies of the "Wowowee" episode aired from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, he added.

The stampede occurred early on the morning of Feb. 4 outside Capt. Javier Street in Pasig.

Bautista said the NBI had asked for video copies of the "Wowowee" broadcasts from ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., the show’s producer, but they were able to obtain the tapes from another source instead.

However, the television network has so far been cooperative in the investigation, he added.

In the Jan. 31 "Wowowee" episode, Revilliame reportedly told the audience that accommodations at the Philsports Arena would be "first come, first serve" and guaranteed that all of them would receive raffle tickets.

"Kesa naman naka istambay lang sa kanilang mga bahay dito na kayo umistambay may tiyansa pa kayo dito (Instead of staying at home, you can hang around here and get a chance)," the NBI quoted Revilliame as saying in its initial transcript of one of the tapes.

"Dito walang matatalo, laging may pera, elimination pa lang may P20,000 na kaya mga kapamilya sa loob ng Ultra meron ho tayong raffle (No one loses, there is always money. In the elimination alone, there will be P20,000 so kapamilyas at the Ultra, we will hold a raffle).

"Parang Pasko kaya lagi kong sinasabi dito sa Wowowee na Pasko sa loob at sa labas ng Ultra ay kasali ho kayong lahat. Pag tinawag ang pangalan niyo, ang hawak niyong raffle ticket meron kayong P20,000 kaagad (It’s like Christmas, so as I’ve always said here in ‘Wowowee,’ where it’s Christmas in and out of Ultra, all of you will take part. When I call your name, if you hold a raffle ticket, you will immediately have P20,000)."

People would be allowed to enter to the Philsports Arena grounds between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., Revilliame said according to the NBI.

Lucky contestants had the chance to win major prizes such as two passenger jeepneys, three taxi units, two houses and lots, and cash prizes.

Meanwhile, NBI-NCR Regional Director Ruel Lasala yesterday asked for the assistance of three other NBI units in interviewing an estimated 600 people who claimed they were injured in the stampede.

Tapped were the Anti-Organized Crime Division, Background Investigation Division, and the Special Action Unit.

NBI Deputy Director for Intelligence Service Edmund Arugay also volunteered to lead his agents, he added.

About 90 NBI agents have been tasked to take down the statements of the victims.

Since they began their criminal investigation last Feb. 9, they have so far only interviewed 50 people.

Lasala said they had to visit the victims at their homes after they were discharged from the hospital.

Before the end of the week, he is also expecting the Rizal Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center and the Medical City to submit the medical reports of the injured to the NBI, he added. — Evelyn Macairan