Nelson Morales

Inurnment of 8 alleged EJK victims marks end of ‘Justice for All’ campaign in Caloocan City

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Eight victims believed to have been killed in extrajudicial killings during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte were finally laid to rest Saturday, October 4, in a solemn inurnment ceremony at the Dambana ng Paghilom inside the La Loma Catholic Cemetery in Caloocan City.The event also served as the closing program for the month-long &quot;Justice for All&quot; campaign, a civil society initiative focused on demanding accountability for state-sponsored violence.Family members of the deceased, alongside other families of alleged extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims, gathered with representatives of the Buhay ang People Power Campaign Network.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/9/chr-investigation-on-ejk-deaths-still-ongoing-due-to-lack-of-pnp-cooperation-2104">CHR: Investigation on EJK deaths still ongoing due to &#x27;lack of PNP cooperation&#x27;</a></div>Speaking on behalf of the EJK families, Diorenda Ballonico, sister of one of the victims, articulated the enduring pain and violation of human rights.&quot;Sa totoo lang, mahirap pong tumayo rito sa harap ninyo dahil hindi ko po inakala or kahit sino man po dito na darating ang araw na magsasalita kami dito para sa mga mahal namin sa buhay,&quot; Ballonico stated, conveying the unexpected tragedy that brought them to the podium.(To be honest, it is difficult for me to stand in front of you because I never expected that the day will come that we would be here to speak for our loved ones)She described her brother not as a statistic, but as a beloved family member.“Siya ay maingay, masayahin, minsan matigas ang ulo, pero walang duda siya may mabuting puso.&quot;(He was noisy, fun loving, sometimes stubborn, but there is no doubt he had a good heart)The sister then condemned the manner of his death and the systemic failures that enabled it.&quot;Walang paglilitis, walang pagkakataon na magpaliwanag, walang paggalang sa kanyang pagkatao,&quot; she said of her brother&#x27;s death.(There was no hearing, no chance to explain, and no respect for his being human)Ballonico underscored the group&#x27;s firm resolve, stressing that they will not allow their loved ones to be forgotten victims.“Hindi kami titigil sa panawagan ng katotohanan. Hindi kami titigil sa paghahanap ng katarungan hindi lang para sa kapatid ko kundi para sa lahat ng biktima ng ganitong karahasan,” she said.(We will not stop calling for the truth. We will not stop seeking justice not just for my brother but for all victims of this kind of violence)The &quot;Justice for All&quot; campaign began on August 17, the eighth death anniversary of teenager Kian de los Santos, and included observances on key dates like Ninoy Aquino’s martyrdom and the anniversary of Martial Law.The International Criminal Court (ICC) has postponed the September 23 hearing on charges against former president Duterte but the group said they will continue the campaign.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/2/-sino-kayo-sa-icc-conti-questions-senate-vote-for-duterte-s-house-arrest-1348">&#x27;Sino kayo sa ICC?&#x27;: Conti questions Senate vote for Duterte&#x27;s house arrest</a></div>Kiko Aquino Dee, co-convenor of the Buhay ang People Power Campaign Network, acknowledged the setback in an interview, but maintained that the process is moving forward.Dee noted that the public now has a clearer understanding of the gravity of the case, as the ICC has identified &quot;three counts of murder for the 43 victims.”&quot;Sila talaga yung pinaka example o pinaka kumakatawan sa libo-libong pinatay nung panahon ng tokhang,” he added, referring to the brutal anti-narcotics campaign where at least 7,000 were acknowledged killed in supposed anti-drug operations.(They are really the examples or the personification of the thousands killed during the time of &#x27;tokhang&#x27;)He said that while the delay in proceedings against Duterte is concerning, the fact that there is a process means there is progress towards justice.&quot;Yung sa ICC po siguro medyo nakababahala na natuloy po yung pag delay sa confirmation of charges hearings kay president duterte… at least lumalapit padin tayo kahit paano dun sa hustisya&quot;He also expressed hope that the hearing will proceed.&quot;Yun talaga yung inaantabayanan ng maraming Pilipino din,” he said.(That is also what many Filipinos are waiting for)Dee also criticized the Senate for what he described as a &quot;hypocrisy&quot; in prioritizing resolutions for certain individuals while seemingly neglecting the victims of the drug war.

Eight victims believed to have been killed in extrajudicial killings during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte were finally laid to rest Saturday, October 4, in a solemn inurnment ceremony at the Dambana ng Paghilom inside the La Loma Catholic Cemetery in Caloocan City.

Eight victims believed to have been killed in extrajudicial killings during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte were finally laid to rest Saturday, October 4, in a solemn inurnment ceremony at the Dambana ng Paghilom inside the La Loma Catholic Cemetery in Caloocan City.

Inurnment in La Loma of 8 alleged EJK victims caps ‘Justice for All’ campaign

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Inurnment in La Loma of 8 alleged EJK victims caps ‘Justice for All’ campaign

Bea Cuadra,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 04, 2025 11:11 AM PHT

|

Updated Oct 04, 2025 12:46 PM PHT

Read More:

Extrajudicial killings

EJK

Rodrigo Duterte

Tokhang

Caloocan City

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