Today is the 2nd death
anniversary of Rogelio Palo, 7, the Amerasian boy who died of leukemia in
Olongapo City on the eve of Fil-Am Friendship Day 2000. Rogel, as we call
him, was denied recognition by his biological father, a US serviceman in
Subic Naval Base just before he left for home upon the withdrawal of the
US fleets from RP territory on November 22, 1992. His mother could not
stand the humiliation. During pregnancy, she lived in a house along Sta.
Rita river, where water flowed from former base dumpsites upstream. After
Rogel's birth, his mother gave him up to the warm shelters of childless
Rudy and Rose Palo who loved Rogel like he was their own.
When Rogel was three, tell tale signs
of leukemia started to manifest and the rest is painful memory to Rose and
Rudy.
Last week, a retired former base worker
Alfonso Napalan, 71, died of asbestosis in Olongapo City. He is among the
thousands of base workers who served the US government in the Ship Repair
Facility in Subic for years only to realize that their benefits derived
from the service were way below the standards that their white co-workers
enjoy. Worst of all, thousands others are suffering from the same ailment
awaiting medical assistance from the US government knowing that they once
served the USA devotedly without being informed that asbestos was
hazardous to their health.
Death continues to stalk the sleepy
resettlement villages in Pampanga. Honorio Lopez, 40, died of multiple
cancer in Madapdap Resettlement Village, Mabalacat, Pampanga. He was
survived by 9 children and his wife Rebecca who could hardly believe when
the doctors at PGH explained to her that "ang lason sa kanyang katawan
ay kumalat na at sinira ang kanyang internal organs". Fluid toxins
flowed from lesions all over his body. Now, Rebecca has to carry the
burden that Honorio left behind.
People's Task Force for Bases Cleanup
reveal that every week, death adds up to the list of casualties in the
communities in and around the former US Military Bases. "We never know
who's next", said O'lola Ann Olib, Executive Director of PTFBC. Widows and
orphans have continued to add to the list of the PTFBC rooster of members.
Today the children ask: "Kaibigan
nga ba natin ang bansang Amerika? Di ba ang tunay na kaibigan ay may pag
lingap at pang uunawa sa kapwa?" Mothers and widows ask: "Hanggang
kailan ba namin ito tatamasain?" They have become paranoid whenever
they hear of war and war-like activities coming, because to them, it is an
indication that toxic chemicals are also coming. They have likewise become
tired of appealing to the GMA administration on their opposition to
militarization and war because she has become dumb, deaf, and blind to
their plight.
In July 2000, the victims filed a
damage suit against RP and US governments to press for cleanup and
subsequent compensation for the irreparable damage to their health and the
environment. Among hazardous substances found in and around the bases are
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) such as: DDT, PCBs, hexachlorobenzene,
chlordane, dieldrin, aldrin and others including lead, mecury, benzene,
arsenic, cadmium & chromium. Exposure to all these chemicals pose high
risk to public health in view of carcenogenic characteristics and their
potential to destroy the human immune system.
On May 23, 2001, the Philippines signed
the Stockholm Convention to Eliminate Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
from its sources and the environment. Until now, we have not even started
ratification process of the Treaty yet. The treaty clearly reiterates that
slight or severe exposure to POPs surely endangers the environment and
human health, hence, elimination is the solution. RP and US have both
signified full commitment to the POPs Treaty. But is our commitment
limited to areas outside the former US Military Bases only?
Endless questions needing definite
answers. Meantime still, we continue to celebrate the Filipino-American
Friendship Day in our own sulky way.
