Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771561009078HBkJ-eOa4AApH3U_cropped_processed_by_imagy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">“Dambana ng Paghilom” is a memorial site at the La Loma Catholic Cemetery, considered as a resting place for victims of extrajudicial killings. Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News<br/></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Five more urns of those killed during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody drug war were inurned at the “Dambana ng Paghilom” in Caloocan this Friday, days before Duterte&#x27;s scheduled confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC).</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/20/rodrigo-duterte-due-to-attend-confirmation-of-charges-hearing-1124">Rodrigo Duterte due to attend confirmation of charges hearing</a></div><p>“Dambana ng Paghilom” is a memorial site at the La Loma Catholic Cemetery, considered as a resting place for victims of extrajudicial killings. </p><p>Project Paghilom convenor and 2025 Ramon Magsaysay awardee Fr. Flavie Villanueva led the inurnment rites, where he emphasized the importance of providing dignity to those who were killed during the drug war. </p><p>During his homily, Fr. Villanueva detailed how the five victims died between 2016 and 2020, some of whom were killed by gunshot or stab wounds while in their homes.</p><p>“Inaalala natin ang pagpapakasakit, kamatayan, at kabuhayan ni Hesus. Mayroong sakit, may kurot, pag-iyak, may pagsigaw ngunit wag natin kalimutan hindi nanatiling patay si Hesus,” he said. </p><p>“Sa pagkabuhay ni Hesus, hinihingi natin ang katotohanan. Sa pagkabuhay ni Hesus, sumisigaw tayo ng katarungan, sa pagkabuhay ni Hesus, paghilom ang dala,” he added.</p><p>Healing and justice, however, would not be attained if the perpetrators of the drug war continue to hide or be in power, according to the Magsaysay Awardee.</p><p>“Ngunit kailanman, hindi magkakaroon ng lubos na paghilom kung ang katotohanan ay pagtatakpan, kung ang katarungan ay patatagalin, at higit sa lahat, kung ang mga salarin sa pamumuno ni Rodrigo Duterte, ay mananatiling nagtatago sa kanyang selda at hindi haharap,” he said.</p><p>For Villanueva, he and the families of EJK victims would continue fighting for accountability and justice.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘NANGHIHINAYANG’ </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>&quot;Hope&quot;, a mother of one of the victims inurned today, said she continues to long for justice and hope for her 27-year-old son, who was killed in 2016.</p><p>She broke down in tears when asked by ABS-CBN News how she felt during the solemn inurnment rites.  </p><p>“Panghihinayang sa anak ko. Kasi kung buhay siya ngayon, malaking tulong siya sa akin... Yan ang aking katulong, hindi yan [magsisimula] sa pagtatrabaho niya hanggang ‘di niya binababa ang aking paninda... Para akong napilayan,” said Hope.</p><p>Transferring her son’s ashes to the Dambana was a huge help for her, she said, as this would give him a resting place for free.</p><p>“Wala kaming sapat na pera para mailipat siya sa kinalalagyan niya. Ang pinaglibingan niya, apartment lang. Within 5 years lang. Nagpapasalamat ako umabot,” she added.</p><p>Asked about her thoughts on Duterte’s looming confirmation of charges hearing next week, she said this gave her “clarity,” adding that justice is already within reach.</p><p>“Magkakaroon na ng hustisya ang nangyari sa amin. Masaya po dahil kumbaga sa tagal naming paghihintay, nagkaroon ng kaliwanagan ang aming paghihintay. Akala namin madilim, yun pala nagiging maliwanag,” she said.</p><p>This is the 13th inurnment rites led by Project Paghilom since 2016.</p><p>The project is part of a holistic approach to healing which not only includes decent interment, but psychosocial sessions as well for the families left behind.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yUOqV5GLr8k?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uh_cXSSv7o8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>“Dambana ng Paghilom” is a memorial site at the La Loma Catholic Cemetery, considered as a resting place for victims of extrajudicial killings. </p>

“Dambana ng Paghilom” is a memorial site at the La Loma Catholic Cemetery, considered as a resting place for victims of extrajudicial killings.

Ashes of 5 more EJK victims inurned in ‘Dambana ng Paghilom’ ahead of Duterte confirmation of charges

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Ashes of 5 more EJK victims inurned in ‘Dambana ng Paghilom’ ahead of Duterte confirmation of charges

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 20, 2026 12:30 PM PHT

Read More:

Dambana ng Paghilom

EJK

drug war

President Duterte

Duterte drug war

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.