Because the fire that gutted Star City last October 2 rendered a large portion of the park inoperable without major repair and reconstruction, it is with great sadness that we announce the temporary cessation of park operations until a full assessment of the situation can be made. We will be making further announcements in due course. We ask for the understanding of our partners and guests as we work to regain footing.
This is to clarify news articles, and statements released to the media by BFP, regarding the fire that occurred at Star City and MBC on October 02, 2019:
1. With reference to the tweet, “STAR CITY IS DYING”, this was verified to have referring to a television series and not the amusement park. The Star City being referred was is a fictional metropolis where DC Comics superhero Green Arrow fights crime and corruption. The user, a certain person who goes by the user name “12Design”, who later deleted the post, tweeted, “I checked Star City in Google and it said it (Star City in the Philippines) burned down”. “I deleted the post because people thought … I predicted it. Once again, the Star City I’m talking about is from a series”, the user explained.
2. The pictures taken by Star City’s first responders clearly show that the fire originated from just one area which is a locator’s warehouse for stuffed toys.
3. There is gasoline inside the Star City Complex because there is a ride that runs on gasoline particularly the Bumper Boat.
4. That there were some persons that brought in cotton is NOT unusual because cotton filling is being used to stuff toys redeemed in games. In fact, most if not all of the stuffed toys are filled with cotton. Almost all theme parks, including those outside of the Philippines, sell or give as prizes, stuffed toys in the ordinary course of their business.
5. We are not aware of any motive, including financial gain, that would induce the commission on arson specially on the part of Star City as the business is profitable and a bumper Christmas Season was expected.
6. The circumstances earlier cited in the media cannot therefore be conclusive that there was arson.
7. We feel that it was inappropriate, to say the least, to release statements to media first regarding arson as the cause of fire when the investigation is not clearly concluded and before taking up such matter with Star City’s Management, the principal party concerned.
8. Further clarifications, please contact Atty. Rudolph Steve E. Jularbal through mobile phone number 09989635214.
