Rosa Rosal’s appeal for help - STARBYTES by Butch Francisco

Rosa Rosal, one of Philippine cinema’s greatest actresses, actually has lachrymal glands that work like a faucet. Even in heavy crying scenes, she can turn on and off her tear ducts – on cue and at the precise moment.

Last Tuesday, however – when the supporters of jailed former President Joseph Estrada were wreaking havoc in the Malacañang vicinity – Ms. Rosal found herself unable to control her tears. She just kept weeping and weeping until she had practically cried her eyes out.

She had good reason to cry: Two vehicles of her beloved Red Cross (of which she is governor) were attacked and destroyed in that Mendiola riot.

Ms. Rosal didn’t expect this to happen because the Red Cross is considered neutral and is supposed to be safe from attack. This agreement was respected even by the Allied and Axis forces during the last World War. Unfortunately, nothing remained sacred among the violent Estrada supporters.

The Philippine National Red Cross actually dispatched ambulances to EDSA on the first day the Estrada loyalists took over the shrine since it is SOP for this organization to send first aid teams to any mass action – regardless of political color. During the six days that the Estrada supporters were in EDSA, three first aid teams were stationed in various points there round-the-clock.

When the Estrada demonstrators decided to march to Mendiola during the early hours of May 1, the Red Cross ambulances had to follow them – keeping a safe distance behind the protesters.

At way past noon, however, the Red Cross ambulance – a Vesta van – that was stationed at the corner of J.P. Laurel (near 7-11) was suddenly attacked by the rioters. The Red Cross volunteers, fearing for their lives (who wouldn’t get scared?), found themselves scampering in different directions.

When the people at the Red Cross main headquarters in Port Area found out that they lost their first aid team in that area, they didn’t hesitate to send for a second batch of volunteers.

Unfortunately, the second Red Cross vehicle – an Isuzu van this time – suffered the same fate in the hands of the rioters. Its body was hit by clubs and its windows and windshield smashed and pelted with rocks. One of the rioters – a man in a white shirt – actually tried to set it on fire but was stopped by the timely arrival of policemen.

The two Red Cross vehicles are now useless and beyond repair. And Red Cross governor Rosa Rosal could now only shake her head in dismay. One of the ambulances wrecked was actually for the regular use of the Red Cross’ Women in Crisis Center. This vehicle had saved the lives of many indigent women who had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

And now, the Philippine National Red Cross has two ambulances less. "To think that it’s not that easy to ask for donations – especially in these hard times!" cries out Rosa Rosal.

Meanwhile, here is a reaction from the office of PNRC chairman, Justice Leonor Ines Luciano, regarding that unfortunate episode last May 1:

The Philippine National Red Cross expresses disappointment over the untoward incident that happened in Mendiola last May 1 that resulted in, among many other things, the wreckage of two of its vehicles.

Justice Leonor Ines Luciano, PNRC chairman, said the attack on the Red Cross vehicles by the group of protesters was a gross disregard for the neutrality and humanitarian mission of the Red Cross. The attack, Luciano said, was a first in the long history of the Philippine National Red Cross. She was relieved to find out though that none of their staff members and volunteers was hurt during the riot. The Red Cross fielded five first aid teams in the Mendiola rally.

The Red Cross is a voluntary humanitarian organization that stands for impartiality, neutrality and independence. It is a universal organization whose mission is to save lives and alleviate suffering.

The Red Cross emblem is not just another logo that can be used by anyone. The Red Cross emblem is protected by the International Humanitarian Law and, in the Philippines, by the Republic Act 95 (PNRC Charter). It was created as a sign of protection and assistance to victims of any emergency.

Luciano expressed hope that the same incident will not happen again and that people would respect the Red Cross logo. She is also appealing to good Samaritans to help the Red Cross replace the wrecked vehicles to enable the organization to serve those in need especially in times of crises.