The Marikina City Police has confirmed the death of an individual during a payout event at the Marikina Sports Center.
In a report by P/Capt. Antonio Balois Jr., the victim was identified as Elgin Basco, 20, a Lalamove rider and a resident of 9 Nimfa St., Barangay Sto. Niño, Marikina City.
The incident happened on April 28, but it was brought to the attention of the Marikina City Police one day after.
According to initial reports, Basco, accompanied by his live-in partner, began lining up for the payout around 7 a.m. Basco experienced shortness of breath and lost consciousness at the venue at around 4:10 p.m.
He was rushed to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center (ARMMC), arriving at around 4:20 p.m. Despite efforts to revive him, the victim was declared dead at 5:09 p.m.
The police report confirmed initial information circulating on social media that a man died of a heart attack reportedly due to extreme exhaustion and heat.
According to witnesses, the man was not immediately attended to, and the coordinators failed to immediately bring the victim to the hospital, which was just across the street.
“Imbes na asikasuhin, busy pa yung coordinator niyo na paalalahanan ang mga tao na huwag kumuha ng video. Ang nag-respond, nurse na kasama sa tumanggap ng ayuda. Wala kayong sense of urgency sa medical emergency,” said a netizen who also shared photos of the overcrowded payout site.
