The bereaved family of a senior citizen who died while waiting in line at Angel Locsin’s birthday community pantry said that they are not pointing fingers at anyone for the patriarch’s death.
In GMA 7’s 24 Oras report on Friday, Jennifer Fosana, daughter of the late Rolando dela Cruz, revealed that they had no idea that their father lined up at the actress’ aid distribution activity in Brgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City, saying that they don’t allow him to attend such events.
“‘Di po nagpaalam. ‘Di namin alam. ‘Di namin pinapayagan kasi alam namin na ’pag ganyan instance maraming tao,” she shared. “Akala namin babalik pa siya. Bigla ’di na pala siya babalik.”
“Wala naman po kaming sinisisi,” addded Jennifer, who said that Angel immediately reached out to them after learning of the man’s condition.
In another interview with News5, Jennifer expressed her gratitude to Angel for shouldering the medical expenses.
“Hindi niya naman po kasalanan eh, ‘yung mga tao talaga ‘yung mga walang kontrol sa ano eh, walang disiplina po eh.
“Salamat kasi hindi niya kami pinabayaan sa ospital. Nung nalaman daw po niyang nahimatay yung tatay ko, pinuntahan niya kaagad kasama yung fiancé niya. Tapos sinagot niya po lahat ngayon,” said Jennifer.
She continued, “Wala po talaga kaming ginastos na kahit na ano. Kahit siguro hindi niya kasalanan ‘yun pero sinagot niya talaga. Kaya nagpapasalamat po kami kay Angel Locsin. Siguro naman po, wala namang may gustong mangyari ‘to.”
Rolando’s son Ryan, on the other hand, said in a TV Patrol interview, “‘Di mo rin aakalain na ganun kasi aksidente lang talaga yung nangyari. Wala pangit sa ginawa ni Ms. Angel kasi ang gusto lang niya tumulong sa ibang tao”.
Rolando, a 67-year-old balut vendor, was earlier reported to have fainted while waiting for his turn to receive goods from Angel. He was rushed to a hospital but declared dead on arrival.
Speaking to TV Patrol’s Alvin Elchico on Friday night, Angel said she did not expect that a lot of people would flock to the community pantry she organized for her birthday.
“Kung ano po yung dahilan kung bakit umabot sa ganun, maraming factors po. Maari pong sa pag-post ko po.
“Though wala naman po sigurong normal na taong mag-e-expect na sa isang post niya na ganun karaming tao ang mag-distribute. Inaako ko po yung pagkakamali ko na iyon,” said Angel.
Prior to her birthday, the 32-year-old Kapamilya star announced in a social media post that her community pantry would be open to people starting 10 a.m.
Angel, however, said she was shocked to see people already lining up when she arrived at the area around 7 a.m.
“Hindi ko rin po inakalang ganun karami yung magri-risk na tao na lalabas na gutom, na kailangan talaga ng pagkain.”
She went on to say, “Pero ‘dun sa mga pumila po ng alas tres, alas kuwatro (ng umaga), hindi ko po akalain na gagawin nila iyon.
“Kasi alam ko po, alas singko po ng umaga ang ano po, ang tapos po ng curfew, ang cut-off po ng curfew, so hindi ko po naisip talaga.”
Angel also made herself accountable for what happened after the local government said the actress lacked coordination with the authorities.
“Kung sinasabi po nilang nagkulang po ako rito, tatanggapin ko po, nirerespeto ko po kung ano ang sasabihin nila.
“Kasi wala naman po akong masisisi rito, kahit yung mga tao kasi gutom na po talaga sila,” she said.
Angel has repeatedly apologized for the chaos that transpired at her community pantry.
She also vowed to give aid to Rolando’s family and “make it her responsibility to help them get through this.”
