PNP to investigate senior's death at Angel Locsin's community pantry

The Philippine National Police will investigate the death of a senior citizen, who fainted and died after lining up as early as 2 a.m. in the morning at the community pantry actress Angel Locsin organized on her birthday on Friday.

In a statement, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also urged community pantry organizers to coordinate with local government units and the Philippine National Police to ensure that COVID-19 protocols would be followed.

“It's the organizer's responsibility to impose the minimum health standards. That's the primary reason why they have to coordinate with the LGUs local government units so that the latter can provide assistance,” Año said.

“Since somebody died, the PNP has to conduct an investigation. We cannot ascertain yet who could be liable until the completion of the investigation,” he added.

Fainted, died

The 67-year old died on Friday morning after passing out while waiting in line at the community pantry to get free food in Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City.

Based on a police report, the male elderly was waiting to get food in the community pantry when he fainted at around 9 a.m. He was rushed to the East Avenue Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival around 9:20 a.m.

Holy Spirit Police Station commander Police Colonel Jeffrey Bilaro told GMA New Online that the senior citizen died of heart attack.

A separate report on 24 Oras News Alert, citing Quezon City Task Force Disiplina, said the senior citizen had been waiting in line as early as 2 a.m.

Apology for a lifetime

Actress Angel Locsin, who put up the community pantry, has since apologized for the death caused by heart attack.

"Humihingi po ako ng tawad sa pamilya. Kanina po pinuntahan at nakapagusap po kami ng personal ng mga anak nya sa ospital. At habang buhay po ako hihingi ng patawad sa kanila," Locsin said in her Facebook post.

She said she had been able to talk with the man's children.

"Hindi ko man po sya nakilala pero sa pagkakakilala ko sa mga anak niya ay mabuti po syang ama at maayos nyang napalaki ang mga anak nya," Locsin said.

Bayanihan by another name

Año also expressed support for community pantries, saying it was a traditional Filipino practice as part of the Bayanihan culture and spirit.

“Iba-iba lang ang pangalan. In the spirit of Bayanihan, many Filipinos have been doing selfless acts of kindness since last year,” he said.

Despite this, the DILG secretary said authorities will come in if there are violations, complaints from the community, or if organizers approached them for help.
 
“The LGUs, barangays, and the PNP are ready to provide utmost assistance to ensure orderly distribution to the public,” he said. --NB, GMA News