Estrada offers to adopt boy wounded in LRT bombing

This young boy may have lost a leg, but may gain a President as foster father.

Enraged and stricken with grief over the child’s plight, the President offered to adopt him and give him the best medical care money and power can buy.

The boy gave his name only as Emmanuel, said he is three years old, and identified his father as Joel.

He could not give hospital authorities any additional information that could help trace his family or relatives, and he kept asking for his missing limb.

Emmanuel was among more than 60 people wounded in last Saturday’s powerful bomb blast that ripped apart a coach of the Light Rail Transit as it was pulling into the Blumentritt station in Sta. Cruz, Manila. At least 11 people died in that explosion, one of five that rocked Metro Manila that day.

The young victim, who was taken blood-soaked, unconscious and with one leg missing to the nearby Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital, regained consciousness only yesterday.

Mr. Estrada, known in his movie days as a neighborhood toughie, could hardly hold back his tears as he stood close to the boy’s hospital bed, with fists clenched tightly.

"I want this boy given all the best medical care. If nobody claims him, I will adopt him," a presidential aide quoted his boss as saying.

The aide, who asked not to be identified, said the Pre-sident instructed him to identify the boy and launch a search for his parents or relatives.

Emmanuel was also assured of scholarship under the Erap Para sa Mahirap Foundation.

Health Secretary Alberto Romualdez said the President has also directed him to give the other wounded victims of the blasts the best medical attention, including the transfer to specialized hospitals of those needing specialized treatment.

A handful of the victims lost limbs and other faculties, and they would have to undergo prosthetics, psychiatry and rehabilitation.

Five powerful bomb explosions rocked Metro Manila on Saturday, leaving at least 14 people dead and scores wounded.

Mr. Estrada made the rounds of the hospitals where the victims were taken, and offered to shoulder their hospitalization expenses.

During a visit to the Payatas dump site following a trash slide that buried alive more than 300 residents last year, the President also offered to adopt a young girl who lost her entire family in the tragedy.

The girl’s grandmother rejected the offer. Nonetheless, she got a scholarship grant from the President. — Marichu Villanueva