MOA Arena exec ‘shocked’ by theft at Meralco locker room, promises investigation

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Wednesday, October 17, 2012 · 10:35 pm

Meralco locker room. PBA/Nuki Sabio

As the clock struck 10 p.m. Wednesday, an investigation team headed by SM Mall of Asia Arena general manager Arnel Gonzales started the review of the CCTV to identify the perpetrators of a theft that took place inside the locker room of the Meralco Bolts in the first half of their encounter against the GlobalPort Batang Pier.
“We’re shocked. We were holding major events here and in the first five months that we’re operating this is the first time it happened,” Gonzales said during a short press conference.
“This is only the second time the PBA is holding scheduled games here and everybody’s still adjusting to our process. But we are doing everything to identify the perpetrators.”
PBA commissioner Chito Salud earlier said he wants MOA Arena to rectify its shortcomings by implementing tighter security measures for the safety of teams and their fans.
He also wanted the MOA Arena to indemnify in full the victims of the theft and robbery.
A PBA official, who requested anonymity, saw flaws in the MOA Arena security situation.
“Security plan flawed if there’s one. Locker room has a backdoor with a Mickey Mouse lock. We opened the door with the utmost of ease,” said the official.
“Alleyway opens up to this backdoor with no security personnel. CCTV tapes that could not be reviewed in house. Almost three hours passed and review has no outcome. I was told it will be provided to an outsourced agency. Apology provided by the staff, but not the general manager, who kept on defending.
Gonzales promised to get to the bottom of things.
“Meralco is our partner and as a matter of fact, they have their corporate box here. We will sort out everything that needs to be sorted out,” he said.
“As for the security, everything is in check. We received feedback coming from organizers and even the media that our security implements tight measures. That’s because we want to ensure the safety of everyone. It’s just unfortunate such thing happened at the back of our house.”
Gonzales said that despite the unfortunate incident, PBA games scheduled at MOA Arena will still push through.
“We honor our booking and I don’t think this incident will have any effect on the bookings of the PBA games here,” he said.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/moa-arena-exec-shocked-by-robbery-at-meralco-locker-room-promises-investigation