Police probe deaths at Pasay City concert party

MANILA, Philippines – Pasay City Police on Sunday said it is investigating the deaths of four people at a concert party in Pasay City on Saturday evening.

"Nasa labas pa po ang mga imbestigador.  Wala pa pong cause of death,” a city police official told Philstar.com.

Radio reports said the Southern Police District joined Pasay Police in the investigation.

According to initial reports, at least four people died and another is in critical condition after being found unconscious at the Closeup Forever Summer party in the Mall of Asia concert grounds early Sunday.

Toothpaste brand Closeup and its organizing agency, Activations Advertising, and staging agency, Eventscape, said in a statement on its Facebook page on Sunday afternoon that they “are deeply saddened by the events that transpired on the early hours of May 22, 2016.”

“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. 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,” it added.

Closeup and its organizers also expressed its condolences to the families of those who died. “Likewise, our efforts are now focused on supporting those needing medical assistance so they may fully recover,” it stated.

Closeup said it is cooperating with the police investigation.  —Rosette Adel