(UPDATE) Actress Angel Locsin said Friday she was "forever sorry" to the family of a senior citizen who died while in line for aid at her community pantry.
Locsin, who set up the free food station for her 36th birthday on Friday, said she hoped the incident would not be used against other community pantries.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said she would provide assistance to the family of the man, 67-year-old Rolando dela Cruz.
The man who died was a family man and balut vendor who had been in line since 3 a.m. Friday. He was caught in a commotion while in line, Locsin said. There were reports of line-jumping at the pantry.
"Bago po ang lahat, 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," she said in an all-black Instagram post.
"Si tatay po ay isang masipag na ama na nagtitinda ng balut. 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," she said.
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Locsin took responsbility for the incident, saying, "Ang nangyari po ay akin pong pagkakamali. Sana po’y wag madamay ang ibang community pantries na maganda po ang nangyari."
A fast lane and a tent for seniors was set up to make lining up easier, she said. Surplus from the pantry will be donated to the community, she said.
"Sa ngayon po, I will prioritize helping the family and I will make it my responsibility to help them get through this," she said.
Dead on arrival
Dela Cruz was declared dead on arrival at 9:20 a.m. at the East Avenue Medical Center. he was brought to the hospital after fainting during the long queue, the Quezon City Police District said.
Belmonte, who earlier expressed support for the community pantry, reminded organizers to coordinate with local officials to ensure crowd control and adherance to minimum health safety protocols.
Photos from outside Locsin's community pantry in Barangay Holy Spirit showed an unruly crowd. Instead of a physically-distant line of people, those awaiting aid were standing shoulder to shoulder.
Some were seen wearing their face masks and shields improperly. Senior citizens, who were advised to stay at home due to fears of COVID-19 infection, were also seen among the crowd.
At least two elderly persons collapsed on the street, including Dela Cruz.
"'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," Locsin said in a Facebook video following the ruckus.
Inspired by the original Maginhawa pantry, open patries have sprouted all over the Philippines to help feed the hungry and provide other essential needs.
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Some jumped the line
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.