Unilever execs face raps over concert deaths; Closeup vows to cooperate with proceedings
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday filed criminal negligence complaints against officials of Unilever Philippines as well as event and security organizers of the Closeup Forever Summer music festival in May 2016, where five individuals died.
Facing criminal negligence raps are Rohit Jawa, then chairman and CEO of Unilever Philippines and currently executive vice- president for South East Asia Operations; Jesus M. Canlapan, Unilever Philippines manager for workplace services and faculty security; Joy Dalanon- Ocampo, Unilever Philippines country manager for safety, health and environment; and Melissa Alcayaga, Unilever procurement manager.
Also named as respondents are Bea Lagdameo, brand manager for Closeup, and Alberto Curnelius T. Trinidad, marketing director for Closeup. Closeup is one of Unilever’s toothpaste brands.
Other respondents in the complaint are: Michelle Suzanne Claire B. Quintana; Anna Kristina E. Doctolero; Baby Majalia Ahamadul, senior accounts manager of Activations Advertising; Reginald M. Soriano; Eduardo Muego; John Paul Demontaño; and Alexis Engelberto J. Aragon, owner of Delirium Manpower Services.
For its part, Closeup spokesperson Ed Sunico said that the company has yet to receive a formal copy of the complaint.
“Again, our management team is deeply saddened by the events that took place at the Forever Summer music festival last year. We acted in good faith in the staging of the event and will continue to cooperate in all the upcoming proceedings,” Mr. Sunico added.
The complaint stemmed from Closeup Forever Summer music festival held on May 21-22, 2016 at the open parking area of SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
“On May 22 ( Sunday), several hours later, while the event was going on, five persons were found unconscious in separate locations on the concert grounds, namely: Ariel D. Leal, 22; Lance F. Garcia, 36; Ken L. Miyagawa, 18; Bianca C. Fontejon, 18; and Eric Anthony Miller, 33,” the complaint read. The five individuals later died in different hospitals.
However, only the families of Messrs. Leal and Miyagawa, and Ms. Fontejon sought the NBI’s help in filing the complaints.
The NBI said Unilever and the event organizers “bragged about a ‘security master plan’ that mentioned ‘Code Red Scenarios.’” However, it noted that illegal drugs were not mentioned as possible source of these emergency situations.
“There was provision for bombsniffing but none with regards to drug-sniffing dogs,” the NBI added.
The autopsy and toxicological examination of the victims revealed that they tested positive for designer drugs such as 4- Met hoxy amphetamine ;3-4 Methylene di oxy amphetamine; and 3,4 Methylene di oxy cathi none.
“The above-mentioned [r]espondents from Unilever-Closeup, Activation Advertising and the others [appear] to be criminally liable based on the responsible officer doctrine for they held a position of responsibility and authority in their respective corporation[s]; and had the ability to prevent the unwanted incidents but failed to do so,” the complaint further read.
Violation of Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code (Imprudence and negligence) is punishable by a penalty of arresto mayor, which ranges from a month and a day to 6 months jail time.