Amid the risk of being red-tagged again, Kapamilya star Angel Locsin’s compassion prevailed as she asked about the condition of the Lumad student, Esmelito ‘Bugoy’ Oribawan.
The actress-philanthropist questioned why the Lumad student is not given the medication he needed considering his current health condition.
“At the risk of being red-tagged again, I would like to ask why this young man was not given proper healthcare?” inquired Angel.
Oribawan is one of the “Bakwit 7”, seven Lumad students who were arrested for alleged rebel training in University of San Carlos (USC)-Talamban Campus and are currently facing kidnapping accusations.
On March 20, when The Save Our Schools (SOS) Network-Cebu visited the students, they discovered the health condition of Oribawan. According to them, he is so feeble that he cannot anymore stand or talk. He also coughed up blood on March 17.
Following SOS’s discovery, the police brought Oribawan to Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) and the result of his medical examination is yet to be announced.
Regardless of Oribawan’s case, Angel believes that he should still be treated humanly. Human rights call for just treatment and that includes giving proper healthcare to Oribawan, just like other detainees.
“Kung yung mga nag massacre nga naka-aircon pa sa kulungan. Proper healthcare lang naman ang hinihingi habang iniimbestigahan,” she said.
She then pleads to give Oribawan the medication he needs, “Makisuyo lang pong matignan mga ma’am at sir.”
Angel was red-tagged before when Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade accused her of helping sister Ella Colmenares who allegedly joined the leftist group in 2005.
Angel denied the accusation and presented the school records of her sister to prove that Ella is studying at Philippine Christian University during that time.
The life of Angel’s family was put in danger because of the red-tagging issue.
Considering her philanthropic activities, Angel was also worried that it may affect her relief efforts where the beneficiaries might also be red-tagged because of her.
Angel already cleared out this issue during a meeting with Parlade last year.
Despite all of these, Angel’s altruistic behavior overcomes her fear of being red-tagged again.
Meanwhile, the University of San Carlos (USC) denied the police accusations against the Lumad students saying that the existing quarantine restrictions have pushed those students to stay on campus for an extended time.
