Migrante International extends its condolences and most-heartfelt sympathy to Andrea Rosal, daughter of late Communist Party spokesperson Ka Roger Rosal, for the untimely death of her two-day old baby.
Overseas Filipinos worldwide hold the BS Aquino government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines accountable for the death of baby Diona Andrea Rosal as a result of the inhumane treatment of political prisoners in the country.
Baby Diona Rosal died last May 18 at 4:20pm at the neonatal intensive care unit of the Philippine General Hospital. Her mother, Andrea, was arrested by authorities, along with two others, last March 27. She was eight months pregnant during the time of her arrest and was not given proper medical attention while detained despite persistent requests by her legal counsel.
Like other political prisoners under the Aquino regime, Rosal has been charged with non-bailable crimes of murder and kidnapping. This is a clear violation of the Hernandez doctrine which holds the crime of rebellion as a single offense that cannot be made into a complex crime.
“We are heartbroken and outraged by the death of Baby Diona Andrea. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) around the world, especially mothers, know how hard it is to be away from their children. As a parent myself, I cannot even begin to express the sorrow and grief of losing a child, let alone a newborn baby who has died while under the care of the very people who are tasked to protect and care for its children,” said Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson.
“Walang puso ang gobyernong ito. Ang pakiramdam naming mga OFW ngayon ay mas masahol pa sa pakiramdam kapag nababalitaan nating minamaltrato o inaabuso ang ating mga kababayan sa ibang bansa. Ang pagkamatay ng isang inosenteng sanggol na tulad ni Baby Diona Andrea ay lagi’t laging isang trahedya. Nagluluksa at nagagalit ang mga OFW saanman sa mundo,” he said.
Martinez also slammed the Aquino government for its “double standards” in its treatment of detainees, citing the special treatment being given to the likes of former president Gloria Arroyo and Janet Lim Napoles.
“Andrea Rosal who was eight months pregnant when arrested was not given proper medical care. She only got to hold her daughter in her arms after the baby had died. On the other hand, we have grand-scale criminals like Arroyo and Napoles basking in air-conditioned quarters and being given special favors by the government. Hindi matuwid kundi baliko at napakaraming road blocks sa daan ng hustisya sa ilalim ng gobyerno ni BS Aquino. The government has blood on its hands. It should be made responsible for the death of Baby Diona Andrea.”
Martinez joined other groups and freedom-loving citizens in calling for the release of Andrea Rosal and other political prisoners, and for the resumption of the NDF-GPH peace talks. ###
