Former student activist, Estrada spokesman passes away

MANILA, Philippines – The spokesman of ousted President Joseph Estrada passed away in a Makati hospital on Friday.

In a Facebook post, writer Nelson Navarro said Fernando “Jerry” Barican, his friend who was a leading figure of the First Quarter Storm, died at 9:15 p.m. at the Makati Medical Center.

Lawyer Trixie Angeles, a friend of the Barican family, said in an interview on DZBB that Barican had been “medyo comatose” for about a month.

News reports said Barican was placed on life support on August 31 after he suffered a stroke.

Barican was reported have had heart surgery in February.

According to Navarro, Barican’s wake will begin this Saturday, at the mortuary of the Magallanes Village church.

He said a necrological service would be held on Monday, at 7 p.m.