Two Pasay concertgoers died due to heart attack —police

Two of the five people who died Sunday after attending an overnight concert in Pasay City passed away due to massive heart attack, Chief Insp. Rolando Baula of the Pasay City Philippine National Police said Monday.

Baula said such was the result of the initial investigation based on a medico-legal test conducted on two of the victims, Bianca Fontejon, 18, and businessman Lance Garcia, by Dr. Wilfredo Tierra of the NBI Medico-Legal Division.

Police have yet to determine if the victims had a history of heart disease or heart failure, Baula, chief of the Station Investigation and Detective Management of the Pasay PNP, told Unang Balita.

They are also waiting for the results of the toxicology test. Baula said Dr. Tierra got specimens from the internal organs of the two victims to determine if they had alcohol before they passed away.

Baula said they are also investigating reports circulating on social media that some of those who attended the event used illegal drugs or had drug-laced drinks.

Five people lost consciousness in the middle of the concert early Sunday morning, and died.

Aside from Fontejon and Garcia, the other fatalities were Eric Anthony Miller, 33, an American; Ariel Leal; and Ken Migawa, 18.

The five, who did not know each other, became unconscious while attending an overnight concert dubbed Closeup Forever Summer at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.

They were among an estimated 14,000 who attended the open-air concert headlined by Belgian DJ duo Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike late Saturday, investigating officer Giovanni Arcinue told Agence France-Presse.

Baula said they were able to talk to the family of Fontejon.

The family of Leal signed a waiver saying that they choose not to have an autopsy done on Ariel, Baula said.

Leal was the first to become unconscious, a report on Unang Balita by Isay Reyes on Monday said.

Next came Fontejon, then Miller at past 2 a.m. Sunday.

Before 5 a.m., Fontejon and Miller passed away at the Manila Doctors' Hospital.

Leal, on the other hand, died past 7 a.m. Sunday at the San Juan De Dios Hospital.

Garcia was brought to the San Juan De Dios Hospital past 3:30 a.m. Sunday but was declared dead on arrival.

Migawa was brought to the hospital past 4 a.m. but died Sunday afternoon.

Police recommended that autopsy be done on the five victims, the report said. However, as of posting time, autopsy was done only on Garcia and Fontejon.

Baula said they will coordinate with the US Embassy regarding the case of Miller. Miller's body is still in the morgue as of posting time.

Authorities are also investigating food concessionaires who sold food, liquor, and other drinks, according to the Unang Balita report.

Foul play?

Baula added that the angle of foul play is not yet ruled out since investigation is still ongoing.

He said they have already talked to the organizer of the concert and the latter promised full cooperation in the investigation.

In a statement issued Sunday, the organizer said that it was "deeply saddened" by the unfortunate event.

"We regret that despite the very stringent measures and precautions we have put in place to ensure the safety and security of all attendees involved, this incident still transpired," Close Up said.

"As such, strict protocols were followed to immediately provide medical assistance, as well as rush all those involved to the nearest hospital where they can receive emergency care."

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of those who've passed away, and commit support in their time of bereavement," it added.

Annie Garcia, president of SM Supermalls, also issued a statement expressing  "our sympathies towards the unfortunate incident."

"We are assisting the event organizers, Close Up Phil., its agencies, and the authorities in the investigation," her brief statement read. —KG, GMA News