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Wednesday, February 15, 2006
ABS-CBN to blame for Ultra stampede: Arroyo
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did not mince words Tuesday and said ABS-CBN Broadcasting Company was at fault in the February 4 stampede outside the Philippine Sports Commission (formerly Ultra) Arena in Pasig City where 71 people died and more than 600 were injured.
Arroyo said in a radio station dzRH interview that the organizers and sponsors of the event were remiss in their preparations resulting in the tragedy.
She also branded as unfair the comments of some people who blamed the poor for forcing their way into the event site and pinning their hopes on the television program and her administration for the problem of poverty in the country.
"Iyung stampede na iyan ay isang trahedya at pinapakita ang kakulangan at pagpabaya ng organization na nag-sponsor dito at nakakalungkot kaysa tukuyin ang kalinga sa mga biktima at akuin ang responsibilidad, iyong mga sponsor ng palabas hinahanap na pagbintangan ang biktima dahil mahirap sila," she said. (That stampede was a tragedy that shows the lack and neglect by the organization that sponsored it and it is sad that instead of looking after the victims and accepting the responsibility, the sponsors of the show are looking for scapegoat by blaming the victims because they were poor.)
The President said the government's job is to find the cause of the stampede, identify those who should be held liable for the event, and ensure that the victims would get justice.
She said regardless of rank in society or even position in government, those who should be held liable must be made to face the consequences of their actions. (JMR/Sunnex)
(February 15, 2006 issue)
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