Senior citizen dies as fans flock Angel Locsin's community pantry
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Angel Locsin took to Instagram to apologize for the disturbance caused by her community pantry.
What was started as an intention of goodwill turned into chaos as Angel Locsin's community pantry was flocked by fans and people in need early Friday, April 23.
Despite the rigorous planning and adhering to social distancing protocols to ensure the public's safety, thousands of people flocked to Barangay Holy Spirit to get a glimpse of the actress in action and also acquire free goods.
What makes matters worse is that a senior citizen, later identified as 67-year-old Rolando dela Cruz, fainted and later died while waiting to receive his goods.
According to station commander Lt. Jeffrey Bilaro of the Holy Spirit Police Station, Rolando was among those who fell in line at the community pantry that Angel organized in a commercial building in Don Matias Street.
What was supposed to open at 10:00 a.m. was briefly moved at an earlier time due to the influx of people coming in to avail their provisions.
Because of the commotion around the area, the 36-year-old actress took to Instagram to apologize for the disturbance caused by her community pantry.
She explained that despite her good intentions, she, together with her volunteers and the law enforcement, couldn't contain the chaos that ensued in the vicinity.
“Nagsimula naman po kami ng maayos, and though mahaba po 'yung pila may social distancing naman,” she said in the short video.
“At saka 'yung mga tao, nabigyan na po kami ng mga pwede nilang orderin para mabilis ang pila and maayos kami.
“And then, ang pagkukuwento po sa akin [kasi busy ako sa pagpa-pack ng goods] e, 'yung mga walang stubs ay sumingit sa pila. Naiintindihan ko po kung bakit, pero doon po nagsimula 'yung gulo at nagsiksikan.”
Angel continued, “Hindi po ito ang gusto ko. Nagsimula po na maayos ang aming layunin at pag-promote ng social distancing. Nagkataon po talaga na gutom po ang mga tao na kahit wala sila sa pila ay sumingit na po sila.
“Sa mga nagambala ko po dito, hindi po ito ang intensyon ko. Sa lahat po ng naabala ko ngayon ay pasensya na po dahil hindi po ito ang intensyon natin. Hindi lang po talaga siya makontrol kahit nandito na po lahat, hindi po namin makontrol.”
Because of the incident, Angel said she might not be given a chance to set up the community pantry but will do her best to distribute the goods to those in need.
“Sa mga 'di po mabigyan today, nais ko pong magsabi ng pasensya dahil tingin ko hindi na po ako papayagan ulit na gawin 'to baka po ipahatid na lang po namin dito sa area para mapakinabangan ng iba.”
She concluded, “Gusto ko lang po i-celebrate ang birthday ko na makatulong sa iba. Pasensya na po.”
Watch her full statement below:
Check out the other celebrities who created their own community pantry in their neighborhood in this gallery:
