BLESSING AND TURNOVER OF URNS OF EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLING (EJK) VICTIMS

[Manila City]

Vice President Leni Robredo attended the blessing and turnover of the cremated remains of several victims of extrajudicial killings (EJK), held in Manila on Wednesday, 20 October 2021.

Buried in different public cemeteries in Metro Manila, the remains of these EJK victims were exhumed as the five-year lease on their graves lapsed. Through the Society of the Divine Word - JPIC (Justice-Peace Integrity of Creation) Office of the Central Province, Project Paghilom (Healing Intervention Leading to Optimum Management in the Rehabilitation of Significant Others of EJK Victims) has facilitated the cremation of the said remains and purchased their urns, which were turned over to family members at the simple, socially-distanced rites.

Robredo conveyed her sympathies to the families, assuring them of her and her office's support as they move forward in the midst of grief. “Marami tayong puwedeng gawin. Pero sana hindi tayo mawalan ng lakas ng loob, dahil bukas ay marami pang puwedeng mangyari. Hindi na natin mababalik iyong buhay ng mga nawala sa atin, pero kapag pinagbuti natin ang buhay natin, parang iyon na din iyong alay natin sa kanila: na kahit wala na sila dito ay siniguro ninyo na iyong mga naiwan nila ay napapangalagaan. Nandito lang po ako, nandito lang iyong aking opisina. Kapag may kailangan—kahit pa kailangan lang ng kakuwentuhan, bukas na bukas po iyong aming pinto sa inyong lahat,” she said.

The Office of the Vice President has been partnering with civil society groups in providing various interventions for families who lost their loved ones to EJKs.