The ashes of eight victims of “Tokhang” killings under the bloody war on illegal drugs of the Duterte administration were laid to rest Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Dambana ng Paghilom in La Loma Catholic Cemetery, Caloocan City.
The Dambana has now become the final resting place of Marlon Ballonico, Alex Bigonte Jr., Darwin Dacillo, Artemio Lumbre, Regie Boy Jaranilla, Ronnel Obenita, Adrian Romero, and Rufino Vicente – all of whom met violent deaths during the previous administration’s anti-narcotics campaign.
“In the midst of our pain, I want to say that we will not allow our brother to be just another name in a list of victims already forgotten, whose memory has been erased because of fear, because of the lack of justice,” said Ballonico’s sister, Diorenda, in a brief but emotional message she delivered following the inurnment.
“We will not stop in our search for justice, not just for my brother, but for all the victims of this gruesome violence,” she added.
With yesterday’s inurnment, a total of 111 “Tokhang” victims now lie at rest in the Dambana ng Paghilom, which Fr. Flavie Villanueva said was built as a memorial to the thousands of Filipinos killed in the bloody drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Villanueva is the founder and president of Program Paghilom, which helps families of “Tokhang” victims heal and rebuild their lives in the wake of unspeakable tragedy and injustice.
In his brief reflection, Fr. Alan G. Bondoc reminded the families who lost their loved ones: “God is not deaf to your pleas. God is not sleeping. He feels your pain. Trust in the Lord that there will be justice soon.”
For his part, Villanueva, who was recently conferred with the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award, urged the families of victims to continue their journey of healing by taking part, as citizens, in helping heal the nation.
The inurnment also marked the closing program of the month-long Justice for All campaign, a civil society initiative led by the Buhay ang People Power Campaign Network (BAPP) calling for accountability and remembrance in the face of state-sponsored violence.
The Justice for All campaign began on August 17, commemorating the 8th death anniversary of “Tokhang” victim Kian de los Santos.
