TV network faces charges in Manila stampede

MANILA, Mar 8 (Reuters) Seventeen people, including executives from the Philippine's largest media group ABS-CBN, face criminal charges for failing to prevent a deadly stampede before a gameshow last month, police said today.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it was recommending the charges for the disaster in which 74 people were killed and nearly 600 injured when a crowd surged towards a Manila stadium to try and get into the ''Wowowee'' TV show.

The Justice Department will consider the NBI's findings before deciding on legal action.

Twelve staff from ABS-CBN's TV network, including the broadcaster's executive vice-president, its security chief and the gameshow's host were identified by the NBI. Three members of a private security firm and two employees of the stadium operator were also identified.

Reggie Puno, lawyer for ABS-CBN, said the station had not been negligent in preparing for the popular gameshow.

''As far as I know, none of the injured, the family of the deceased have filed cases against the station and that speaks a lot about how the public and how the victims themselves view this incident,'' Puno told Reuters.

An initial probe had criticised ABS-CBN, a unit of conglomerate Benpres Holdings Corp., for treating thousands of hopeful contestants like animals.

People had been desperate to get onto the show, which picks contestants at random from the audience and offers a jackpot of 1 million pesos as well as other prizes such as cars and houses.

The NBI said a separate non-criminal case would be filed against the mayor of Pasig City, in eastern Manila, in connection with the stampede.

REUTERS SB PM1225