Toxic waste ‘victims’ hold Mass for Prince Rainier

OLONGAPO CITY — Alleged victims of toxic wastes at the former US military bases in Clark and Subic gathered here yesterday for a Mass for Prince Rainier of Monaco, who died last April 6 and was laid to rest also yesterday.

Myla Baldonado, executive director of the People’s Task Force for Bases Clean-up, said the Misang Bayan held at the San Lorenzo Ruiz chapel was meant to show support for the family of Prince Rainier, especially his daughter, Princess Caroline.

Princess Caroline is president of AMADE Mondiale, or the World Association of Children’s Friends, which is providing financial support to families of alleged toxic waste victims amid the refusal of the US government to help them.

In 2002, Baldonado said Princess Caroline sent a letter to US President George Bush to appeal to the US government to clean up its alleged toxic wastes in the Philippines.

Last October, she visited the Madapdap resettlement in Pampanga where toxic waste victims from Clark and their families have relocated. — Ding Cervantes