Actress and philanthropist Angel Locsin apologized Friday after the crowd outside her community pantry in Quezon City failed to observe social distancing, causing at least two elderly persons to collapse on the street.
Locsin, who is celebrating her birthday, said the community pantry got off to an orderly start past 8 a.m. until some people jumped the line, causing disorder.
"Nagsimula naman kami ng maayos po, though mahaba yung pila, may social distancing po siya..." she said in a Facebook video.
"Yung mga walang stub po ata sumingit sa pila, naiintindihan ko naman po kasi kanina pa din naman sila nag-iintay pero yun po yung naging dahilan kung bakit nagsiksikan pero nagsimula naman po kami na maayos talaga," she added.
A man reportedly fainted while lining up for the pantry and was declared dead on arrival in the hospital according to a radio report. This could not be immediately confirmed.
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Locsin, who has been actively helping throughout the pandemic, said there were law enforcers deployed in her community pantry to help maintain order but the crowds were just difficult to tame.
"Hindi po ito ang gusto ko nagsimula po kami na maayos po ang aming layunin pati po ang aming pagpa-plano ng social distancing, nagkataon lang po talaga na siguro gutom lang po talaga yung tao na kahit wala po sa pila sumingit na po sila," she said.
"Sa mga nagambala ko po dito, pasensya na po, hindi po ito ang intensyon ko," she added.
Locsin said she doubts that she would again be allowed to organize a community pantry but said she is still willing to send goods to people who need them.
"Sa lahat po ng naabala ngayon, pasensya na po hindi po ito talaga yung intensyon natin at kahit anong paghahanda po natin para ma-avoid yung ganitong gulo, hindi lang po talaga siya ma-control kahit na andito na yung munisipyo, nandito na yung military," she said.
"Sa mga hindi po mabibigyan today, nais ko din magsabi ng pasensya po at gustuhin ko man po mag-abot I don't think papayagan pa po ako ulit na gawin ito," she added.
Community pantries have popped up in different areas inspired by the mother pantry in Maginhawa, Quezon City as many families are unable to feed themselves during the pandemic.
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