MANILA — Family members and supporters gathered Thursday to honor those lost in the Duterte administration’s drug war, marking the eve of All Saints’ Day with flowers and prayers at the cemetery.
Joralyn Fuellas could not hold back tears as she visited her husband’s grave at Dambana ng Paghilom in La Loma Cemetery, Caloocan City. Her husband was killed seven years ago by riding-in-tandem gunmen in Manila, and Fuellas continues to seek justice.
“Naiiyak ako kasi hindi pa siya nabibigyan ng katarungan. Walang gustong mag-witness,” Fuellas said.
Fuellas hopes that the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the drug war for alleged crimes against humanity will finally bring justice.
“Kasi dito parang niluluto. Parang may kinakampihan sila, may pinapaboran, kaya parang ang hirap makamtan ‘yung hustisya rin dito,” she added.
Fellow mourner Arsenia Chico also expressed grief over losing two sons accused of involvement in illegal drugs. Chico emphasized the need for accountability for those responsible for the killings.
“Napakahirap tanggapin kasi wala talagang kasalanan ‘yung anak ko. Mag-aabroad po ‘yun eh. Nag-aantay na lang… ‘Yun lang talaga ang inaasahan namin para matahimik kami, ‘yung kapayapaan ng puso namin, ‘yung katarungan. Hangga’t buhay pa ‘yung may gawa, sana makamit namin ang katarungan,” Chico said.
At the ceremony, Father Flavie Villanueva offered words of comfort to the families. The memorial site currently holds over 40 urns for alleged extrajudicial killing victims and has space for many more.
“Isinisimbulo na kaya bilog ito, hindi kayo nag-iisa. Yakap at patuloy tayong magyakapan, para makamtan natin ang paghilom, dahil malalim ang sugat na idinulot ni Duterte at ng mga taong inutusan niyang pumatay. Sa usaping paghilom, hindi maaalis ang katarungan,” Villanueva stated.
Villanueva called for those responsible for the drug war to be held accountable and criticized the Senate’s recent handling of the issue.
“With what we saw in the Senate, how Duterte was given once again a very favorable platform, plus ‘yung kanyang mga galamay ay nandyan pa upang ang impluwensya mambully, baka hindi mapanagot ang principal heads. That is my worry… Accountability has to begin from the top and not only the low-lying fruits,” Villanueva said.
He challenged former PNP Chief and Senator Ronald Dela Rosa’s statement that Duterte’s remarks during the Senate probe were jokes, as Duterte spoke about ordering police to provoke suspects into resisting.
“There could be no joke when you’re under oath. Walang panahon ng pagbibiro, kapag ang usapin ay katotohanan at patungkol sa buhay na pinaslang,” Villanueva said.
Dahlia Cuartero, who lost her son during a buy-bust operation, echoed Villanueva’s sentiments.
“Hindi po ‘yun joke dahil napatunayan namin sa aming mga biktima… ‘yung anak ko tinaniman nila ng baril. Kung hanapin natin ‘yung baril na tinanim sa anak ko, nasaan na ‘yun? Hindi joke ‘yun. Totoo lahat ng pinagsasabi… Under oath po siya eh,” Cuartero said.
Cuartero expressed cautious optimism about the congressional and ICC investigations, urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to cooperate with the ICC.
“Ang mga kalaban natin mayayayaman, maimpluwensya. Dito sa Pilipinas, makulong lang sandal, pag kaalyado ang nakaupo, makakalabas din talaga. Kaya hirap din ang hustisya dito sa Pilipinas,” Cuartero said.
Villanueva hopes future Senate hearings will be more centered on the victims’ stories.