Philippines urged to let jailed activist attend child's funeral

Bishops appeal on behalf of suspected Communist chief.

Manila:  The bishops' conference of the Philippines today joined calls from human rights groups for the government to allow a jailed activist to attend the burial of her baby.

Andrea Rosal, the daughter of the late rebel leader Gregorio Rosal, gave birth to Diona Andrea on Saturday. The baby died shortly after birth due to oxygen deficiency in the blood.

The government suspects Rosal is an official of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines and its military arm, the New People's Army.

"She was already deprived of her basic human and maternal right to receive appropriate medical care during her pregnancy. Let us not deprive her of her right to bury her dead," Fr Melvin Castro, executive-secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life of bishops' conference, said in an interview with reporters.

The priest reminded the government that although Rosal is accused of being a rebel, "she is first and foremost a mother".

Human rights groups blamed prison authorities for the baby's death, citing "unreasonable delays" in bringing Rosal to the hospital.

The Karapatan (Rights) group said the government should be held accountable for the death of Rosal's baby.

"The struggle now has escalated into demanding justice for the debt of blood. We won’t stop until justice is served for Baby Diona Andrea and for the unconditional release of her mother," the group said in a statement.

The presidential palace said it will look into Rosal's detention and the circumstances around the death of the baby.

"We condole [sic] with the Rosal family as we await a comprehensive report about her situation," said presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma Jr in a press briefing.

Source: ucanews.com