Families of drug war victims celebrate Christmas while on healing journey
MANILA— Several years after the brutal killings of their loved ones, families of drug war victims continue their journey to healing. With the help of the Catholic Church, they have formed a community, who celebrated Christmas at the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace Park in Caloocan City on Tuesday.
Through the help of the Church, they have created a culture of healing, empathy, and renewal. @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/bRqCOVomtJTogether, the families exchanged gifts, played games, danced to music and shared food in celebration of Christmas. Villanueva instituted a program that would help bereaved families cope with the loss of a loved one in government's Oplan Tokhang, the controversial house-to-house anti-drug crackdown widely criticized for alleged summary executions.
There are 12 Saturdays of intervention where the grief and trauma of family members are processed. Legal documentation, education and livelihood assistance, and monitoring come next. "Malaki ang naitulong minsan na kami naisantabi, dahil tinatakan na kami na salot ng lipunan," said Randy Delos Santos, uncle of Kian Delos Santos, the teen killed in a drug operation in Caloocan City in 2017.
"Ilang taon na nawala kapatid ko, hindi na siya maibabalik. Wala na kami interes na magkaso. Bahala na ang Diyos," she said. Villanueva said that the circumstances the families are in call for better governance, and as the election draws near, a stronger stance from the Church should surface.
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