Related: Panic stampede kills over 70 in Manila

    

A video grab shows rescue workers evacuating the wounded after a stampede in Manila Feb. 4. (Reuters)

MANILA, Feb. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered on Saturday a thorough investigation into the stampede of hundreds of hopeful participants to a television game show "Wowowee" at the Philsports Arena stadium east of Manila.

    Arroyo ordered authorities 72 hours to submit the results of the deadly stampede, in which at least 73 people were killed and hundreds of others wounded.

    Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Arroyo was saddened by the "tragic incident" and immediately mobilized government agencies to assist the victims and ensure the safety of the thousands of people at the scene.

    Arroyo herself went to visit some of those injured rushed to the Rizal Medical Center also in Pasig City, where the stampede took place early Saturday when thousands of people were waiting for entry tickets for the "Wowowee" show which promised a one-million peso jack pocket, a house and some minibuses for the lucky ones.

    Ermita quoted Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza as saying that the National Telecommunications Commission would look into the possible culpability of the television show's organizers and assured the public that the victims of the tragedy would obtain justice.

    Chaos erupted as thousands of people, who had camped outside the stadium to be able get a chance to win up to the fabulous prizes worth move than a life-time's saving of average Filipinos.

    Ermita also said that aside from the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police, Arroyo also ordered the National Disaster Coordinating Council, the Department of Health and the Metro Manila Development Authority to help the victims.

    But he said the government might not offer monetary assistance since the program's organizers might have to provide for funeral, medical and other expenses. Enditem