Eight injured in F4 concert

At least eight people were injured when the broken gate of the PhilSports arena (formerly known as Ultra) in Pasig City fell at the height of the F4 concert on Saturday night.

Worse, a number of petty crimes were committed under the noses of some 100 uniformed and plainclothes policemen fielded by Chief Superintendent Rolando Sacramento, director of the Eastern Police District (EPD), to maintain traffic and peace and order in the concert area.

Sacramento clarified that not one of those injured was in serious condition as earlier reported.

He identified the victims as Rosita Legaspi, 45; Maribel Tapayao, 17; Rolando Onchangco, 40; Consuelo Rejano, 25; Silverio Atienza, 40; Jocelyn Atienza, 55; Juliane Atienza, 11, and Catherine Calamlam, 34. They sustained contusions and bruises in different parts of the body and are presently being treated at the Medical City hospital.

Another unidentified victim was sent home because the injuries he suffered did not need treatment, Sacramento said.

Sacramento explained that since 11 a.m., thousands of fans with tickets to the concert started lining up at the gate located between the basketball court and the Department of Education (DepEd) buildings leading to the PhilSports track oval where the concert will be held.

When the concert of Taiwanese pop stars Vaness Wu, Ken Zuo and Barbie Xu and their Filipino counterparts were about to start at 8:30 p.m., the guards tried to close the gate, but the crowd shoved and pushed until it fell.

"Dahil gustong makita ang mga iniidolo nila, nagtulakan ang mga nakapila sa gate na ikinasira naman nito at nadaganan ang mga nasa unahan (Because they want to see their idols, those who were lined up at the gate pushed and shoved each other.)," said Sacramento in an interview.

While the victims were trapped by the fallen gate, other fans rushed inside stepping on them and causing more injuries.

ABS-CBN issued a statement saying that "it is not in any way involved in the production of the concert, which was undertaken by Big Slim Entertainment, an independent production outfit."

"Except to cover the event and its ancillary activities for promotional purposes, ABC-CBN had no participation in the handling and conduct of the said concert," the statement added.

In exchange for the promo activities extended them, Big Slim has awarded ABS-CBN the exclusive broadcast rights to cover the event.

Concert producer Susan Lim of Big Slim Entertainment, on the other hand, apologized to those who went to the show for the "difficulties or any inconvenience they experienced in entering the venue."

She explained that meticulous security checks were conducted to ensure the safety of the public.