Is Angel Locsin liable for not following Safety Health Protocols? What about the death of Rolando dela Cruz?

The Local Government Unit of Barangay Holy Spirit is studying the filing of a case against Angel Locsin after setting up a community pantry that caused crowd chaos.

According to Barangay Holy Spirit Councilor, Jomar Lagarto, Locsin and her team did not coordinate with them before the event so no protocols were implemented to control the crowd. With such a crowd, it is impossible to impose social distancing. Locsin contacted the city hall, military unit, and Barangay official for help, but the crowd kept on growing.

Atty. Mel Sta. Maria, Dean of Far Eastern University Institute of Law, explained Angel Locsin’s liability for the death of the 67-year-old senior citizen Rolando Dela Cruz, who fainted in the long queue during the actress’ birthday community pantry, and eventually died upon arriving at East Avenue Medical Center.

Sta. Maria on April 24, 2021, posted a statement on his facebook page proving that Locsin is not liable at all. No case can be filed against Locsin. Although there was sloppiness in social distancing due to the swelling number of the crowd, Sta. Maria emphasized that the role of Locsin as an organizer of the community pantry does not mean that she must take responsibility and liability.

Dr. Antonio P. Contreras, a political analyst and a professor of political science at De La Salle University, also posted his viewpoint on this incident. Contreras said that Locsin may be at fault for the death of Tatay Rolando and that reckless imprudence might be her case.

However, Contreras compared the number of death in the Philippines under the administration of Duterte. He then said that filing the same case against Duterte is possible. Locsin’s act to produce greater good for the greater number caused a single death while Duterte’s acts to eradicate the number of crimes and to fight the pandemic to save lives only led the death toll to rise.

The family of the deceased gave their statement also. Jessica Fosano, the bereaved daughter of Tatay Rolando said that Locsin helped them with all of the finances.

“Nandoon po si Angel Locsin pinuntahan siya sinagot na raw lahat hindi sila pinabayaan doon,” Fosana said.

Fosana refused to blame anyone for the death of her father. She also reminded everyone who is waiting their turn to get free food items from the community pantry as she said, “‘Pag hindi naman kailangan din siguro sa bahay na lang muna, mas maganda siguro ‘yung safe ang katawan.”

Comments