In a statement, the group Karapatan expressed its disapproval over the court’s decision to allow Rosal only three hours to visit the wake of her daughter, who died a day after she was born last weekend.
“The short span of time allowed for Andrea to visit her daughter’s wake is rather cruel considering that this would be the last time that she would be with her daughter,” Pastor Beth Tendero, spokesperson of Free Andrea Movement, was quoted as saying in the statement.
“The court has not allowed Andrea to grieve for her newborn, even while they were still at PGH (Philippine General Hospital). For the last time again, they are depriving Andrea of her right as a mother,” she added.
On Tuesday, the Taguig Regional Trial Court’s Branch 266 allowed Rosal to attend the wake on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., after which she would have to be brought back to Camp Aguinaldo where she is detained on kidnapping and murder charges.
The court, however, denied her petition to attend her daughter’s burial scheduled on Thursday in her hometown of Ibaan, Batangas.
Rosal, who gave birth to Diona Andrea on Saturday, is the daughter of the late rebel spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal. She is also a suspected leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army.
The infant died Sunday afternoon at the Philippine General Hospital due to oxygen deficiency in the blood. Militant groups have blamed prison authorities for the baby’s death, citing “unreasonable delays” in bringing Rosal to the hospital.
Rosal was arrested in Caloocan last March 27 based on a warrant of arrest issued in Mauban, Quezon, for the non-bailable cases of kidnapping and murder. She has denied the charges.
‘Gov’t should be held accountable’
In its statement, Karapatan said the government should be held accountable for the death of Rosal’s two-day-old baby.
It said “the struggle now has escalated into demanding justice for the debt of blood on the hands of” President Benigno Aquino III, the military, the police and other responsible agencies.
“We won’t stop until justice is served for Baby Diona Andrea and for the unconditional release of her mother, on behalf of all women and mothers who might fall victim to this government policy of political persecution,” the group further said.
Earlier in the day, the group conducted a rally at the Department of Justice “condemning the 3-hour visit of Andrea and the prohibition of her to attend the burial on May 22.”
For its part, Malacañang said it is awaiting the explanation of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on the conditions that led to the death of Rosal’s baby.
“Nakikiramay kami sa pamilya Rosal at inaantabayanan namin ang pagtanggap ng komprehensibong ulat ng [BJMP] hinggil sa conditions ng detention ni Andrea Rosal at ng Philippine General Hospital hinggil sa pagpanaw ng bagong silang niyang sanggol,” Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
Earlier, Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala asked left-leaning groups not to blame the government for the infant’s death.
“To blame anyone for the death of this infant is both callous and unfair,” Zagala said. “This child is innocent and her death should not be exploited by anyone.” —Amanda Fernandez/KBK/JL, GMA News
