That's like saying the customer is never right. Having said that hardened and PHP isn't something that comes hand in hand.

Containers or not; I hope they stay on top of security issues or that hardened statement is going to be very underrated.

No, it's not.

Changing a core basis of a project/product because of one person's bad past experience is insane.

Would you stop using wooden doors because you got a splinter, or because a forest fire burnt down your house?

Would you stop using glass windows because you got sand in your pants at the beach?

Would you stop drinking water because you saw some guy drowned once?