‘Choose compassion, empathy:’ Robredo on death of detainee-mom’s baby

Vice President Leni Robredo. Screenshot of her address / Facebook account

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday asked the court to “choose compassion and empathy” after political detainee Reina Mae Nasino’s three-month-old baby River recently died of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

“With Baby River’s passing, we support the calls for the temporary release of Reina Mae so that she can be with her family and loved ones during this difficult time. This is the least we could do for a mother who lost her daughter too soon and under these painful circumstances,” Robredo said in a statement as the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 47 granted three-day furlough this Tuesday to allow Nasino to attend the funeral of her child.

“As Filipinos, as human beings, we know how intimate and important the relationship between a mother and child is—from the first embrace up until the last breath. I hope we respect and uphold this relationship. We urge the court to choose compassion and empathy,” the vice president added.

Meanwhile, Robredo expressed sympathy to the Nasino family as family members still grieve for the death of baby River, who passed away on Oct. 9 at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila.

“I offer my deepest condolences to the Nasino family during these difficult times. May Baby River’s soul rests in peace,” she said.

Nasino was included in the arrest of activists during a November 2019 raid at the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan’s office in Manila. She was a month pregnant with River during the raid.

The raid was conducted after the law enforcers served a search warrant issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 89. Lawmen reportedly found explosives inside the office which Nasino said were planted evidence.

JPV