DOJ exempts Revillame from Ultra tragedy case

(Update 3) The Department of Justice on Friday dropped the criminal charges against "Wowowee" host Wilfredo "Willy" Revillame in connection with the Feb. 4, 2006 tragic stampede at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. The incident claimed the lives of 71 people who came to watch the noontime game show's first anniversary celebration at the arena, formerly the University of Life Training and Recreation Arena (Ultra). In a seven-page resolution, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez granted the petition for review filed by Revillame. The host has sought a reversal of the finding of probable cause for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries by Senior State Prosecutor Leo Dacera III against him. Charges will be pursued, however, against 16 other ABS-CBN officers who organized the show, namely Charo Santos-Concio, Ma. Socorro Vidanes, Marilou Almaden, Cipriano Luspo, Moly Stewart Nueva; Harold James Nueva, Norbert Vidanes, Rey Cayabyab, Francisco Rivera, Mel Feliciano, Jean Owen Ercia, Engr. Jesus Belardo, Erlinda Reis, Rosenbar Viloria, Wilfron Onanad and Chito Payumo. Gonzalez gave weight on Revillame's contention that three shows prior to the scheduled anniversary celebration were all pre-taped and that the crowd then was yet to gather. Revillame disputed the allegations that he was liable for allegedly issuing invitation to viewers to come to the Philsports Arena despite the already massive crowd at the site. "This circumstance effectively negated the resolution's conclusion that Revillame, despite knowledge of the crowd congestion outside the Ultra, recklessly continued to invite more people to the venue; and thereby contributed to the tragic consequences," he said. Gonzalez said even if Revillame made such announcement, it was not the proximate cause of the stampede. "Not by any stretch of the imagination can the act of Revillame, by itself, naturally and adequately lead to the stampede that killed 71 people and injured hundreds more," Gonzalez said. “Even a restless, excited crowd does not normally or logically result in stampedes and injuries of this magnitude. Obviously, another independent, separate act was committed, which became the ultimate proximate cause of the stampede that killed many of the audience," he said. Records showed that on February 4, 2006, Wowowee was poised to celebrate its first anniversary and was much publicized by ABS-CBN. A week before the event, promotion was intensified and Revillame repeatedly announced that free tickets will be given on a "first come-first served" basis. Lucky ticket owners would then get a chance to win cash prizes, jeepneys, taxicabs, tricycles and even a house and lot. On January 30, 2006, people started trooping to the Ultra to be able to participate in the show. More people came in droves and some even camped outside the venue, prompting the arrival of security guards and village security forces. By early morning of February 4, 2006, an estimated 30,000 people have gathered outside the Ultra. Production staff announced that only 17,000 people will be allowed inside the venue, which prompted the crowd to panic and made a mad rush toward the steel gate that suddenly gave in. The crowd then surged forward the downhill terrain, causing them to tumble and fall. Some were pinned down and crushed by the oncoming wave of people. An ensuing investigation by the Interior department’s Task Force Ultra and the National Bureau of Investigation recommended the filing of criminal charges against the respondents. Their investigation report was treated as a formal complaint. - GMANews.TV