Tenant among suspects in Star City ‘arson’
INVESTIGATORS believe that the fire that gutted Star City was a case of arson and some persons, including a tenant, are being eyed as suspects.
Pasay City Fire Marshal Supt. Paul Pili disclosed on Sunday that probers found traces of
gasoline in some areas in the entertainment park, firming up suspicion that someone deliberately started the blaze.
“In the minds of our investigators, there is already arson. But this should be proven because we saw [the] presence of gasoline. We are awaiting the result of [the probe of] our arson laboratory in the National Bureau of Investigation,” Pili said.
He added that some suspects had been identified, including a certain “Mr. Wong,” a tenant. He noted that Wong brought in supplies of cotton inside the complex on the day of the fire, but his personnel did not sign the record book.
Investigators have ruled out electrical malfunction as the cause of the blaze, pointing out that the entertainment park was closed when the fire occurred and the power supply
was shut down.
Pili said the fire started at the Pirate Adventure attraction. He added that the owner of the entertainment park would also be invited for questioning.
“Isa- summon natinangmga papers nila (We will summon their papers), balances, insurance policies... Titingnannatin‘yankasid’un
makikitaangmotibo (We will check those to see if there is motive). That will be part of the circumstantial evidence that will lead to the perpetrator,” the fire official added.
The Star City management, however, rejected the belief of fire investigators that there was arson.
It said there was gasoline in the complex because some rides, such as the Bumper Boat, run on gasoline.
“That there were some persons that brought in cotton is not unusual because cotton filling is being used to stuff toys redeemed in games. In fact, most if not all of the stuffed toys are filled with
cotton. Almost all theme parks, including those outside of the Philippines, sell or give as prizes, stuffed toys in the ordinary course of their business,” the management said in a Facebook post.
“We are not aware of any motive, including financial gain, that would induce the commission on arson, especially on the part of Star City as the business is profitable and a bumper Christmas Season was expected,” it added. “We feel that it was inappropriate to release statements to media first regarding arson as the cause of fire when the investigation is not clearly concluded.”
P5.5M for workers
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) released P5.5 million to fund the emergency employment assistance to about 500 displaced workers of Star City.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd also directed the Bureau of
Working Conditions, Occupational Safety and Health Center, and the Employees’s Compensation Commission to provide all possible assistance to the workers.
The assistance, under the DoLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantage/Displaced Workers ( Tupad) Program, would be extended to the affected workers for two months.
Tupad is an emergency employment program for displaced, underemployed and seasonal workers. The assistance is similar to that provided to employees of the NCCC Mall in Davao City, which was gutted by fire last year.
The displaced workers will be provided access to available job opportunities suitable to their qualifications through job matching, referral and placement services, either local or overseas employment, employment coaching and labor market information.
EVA CASALJAY AND WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL