The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) stood in solidarity with families of victims of the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs,” celebrating a Mass for Justice and Truth on February 22 at Our Lady of Remedies Parish in Malate.
Held on the eve of the confirmation of charges proceedings at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the
Mass underscored the Church’s conviction that the cry of the victims cannot be ignored.
“The Church cannot be neutral when lives have been lost and families shattered,” said Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, chair of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace (ECSA-JP), who presided over the Eucharistic celebration.
“As shepherds, we carry the pain of our people. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. We pray that truth may come to light and that justice may be pursued through lawful and peaceful means.”
The bishop acknowledged that many families continue to experience fear, uncertainty, and social stigma for speaking about their loss.
“They are called many names for telling the world about their loved ones — about how a deadly anti-drug campaign was implemented, and about how they believe the country’s justice system failed them. We pray for them and with them, that they may have the strength and courage to persevere.”
He also recalled that during the height of the anti-drug campaign, bishops and priests who accompanied grieving families were themselves subjected to harassment and red-tagging. Bishop Alminaza shared that he was red-tagged after publicly condemning killings in Negros.
“Standing with the poor has always come with a cost,” he said. “But silence in the face of injustice costs even more. Truth must prevail. Justice must not be delayed.”
The CBCP reiterated that families have the right to seek accountability through lawful mechanisms, both national and international. The pursuit of justice, the bishops stressed, must always respect due process and the rule of law.
Families of the victims expressed gratitude to the CBCP and other supporters and affirmed their determination to continue seeking accountability.
Purisima Dacumos, widow of Danilo, who was killed in their home on August 4, 2017, shared:
“Kaming mahihirap na walang koneksyon, kapangyarihan at salapi ang karamihan sa naging biktima ng tokhang. Pinalakas ng taong simbahan ang aming loob para ipaglaban ang hustisya para sa aming mga mahal sa buhay.”
(We, the poor without connections, power, or money, make up the majority of the victims of tokhang. The support of the Church strengthened our resolve to fight for justice for our loved ones.)
Dacumos added that they remain vigilant amid what they see as attempts to evade accountability.
“Nangangarap pang maging presidente si Sara Duterte para iligtas ang kanyang ama. Anuman ang gawin nila, hindi nila mabubura ang mga krimen ni Digong. Dapat siyang maparusahan.”
(Sara Duterte even dreams of becoming president to save her father. Whatever they do, they cannot erase Digong’s crimes. He should be held accountable.)
The CBCP emphasized that seeking accountability is not an act of vengeance but a moral responsibility rooted in the dignity of every human life. When lives are lost without due process and families are left without answers, the wound is not only personal — it becomes national.
The Church calls on institutions of justice — national and international — to carry out their mandate with independence, integrity, and courage. For peace built on silence is fragile, and reconciliation without truth cannot endure. Only when truth is faced honestly can healing begin.
