Some Pasay concert goers admitted to taking ecstacy — police

Some attendees of a rave concert in Pasay City over the weekend admitted to sneaking in party drug ecstasy in the Mall of Asia parking area despite claims of organizers that tight security was in place, a report by GMA News’ Jun Veneracion for “24 Oras” said Tuesday.

These admissions bolstered the angle of police investigation that illegal drugs may have been the cause of death of five concert goers.

Police said one of those who confessed to them was a friend of a victim.

“Yung grupo nila, before they entered the event, may bitbit na sila tapos pagdating sa loob doon nila tinake,” said Pasay City police chief Senior Supt. Joel Doria.

Based on initial autopsy reports, two of the victims died due to massive heart attack, which is an indicator of drug overdose.

Forensic investigators, however, are also looking at heat stroke and poisoning as possible causes of death.

“Meron mga may ano sa lungs, may changes sa brain pero hindi specific kasi kailangan talaga ma-conduct talaga yung histopathological exam kasi dun makakapagsabi ang doctor ng findings para mas accurate,” said Chief Supt. Emmanuel Arañas, Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory director.

Investigators are also waiting for the results of the autopsy on the bodies of Ken Miyagawa and Eric Anthony Miller.

Meanwhile, the event’s organizer, Close Up, maintained that proper security measures had been in place during the overnight concert last Saturday.

“Dalawang beses ka kakapkapan bago ka makapasok sa venue. Yung registration very strict, so kukunin yung pangalan mo, kukunin kung ilang taon ka, ire-record sa isang RFID (Radio-frequency identification) bago ka makapasok, so very, very strict when it comes to security,” said Ed Sunico of Close Up manufacturer Unilever Philippines.

Close Up also vowed to address the Pasay City government's concern that they were not allowed, through concessionaires, to sell liquor during the event.

“They sold liquor inside despite the fact of such absence in the permit then we will hold them accountable for that,” said Ray Glen Mendez of the Pasay City Public Information Office.  — Virgil Lopez, BAP, GMA News