Death is an unavoidable episode in life’s journey when we learn about finitude and our limited physical existence. But the letting go of loved ones is brought deeper pain and agony when death comes through a state–initiated scheme called “war on drugs” as well as political killings. The killings are unbearable, especially that even in our religiosity as Filipinos, we do not believe that their deaths are God’s will. Yet with great hope and faith and with the power of healing through justice and solidarity of the human community, the restoration of all the brokenness will take its course.
As Church people, we have witnessed the pain of affected families by sharing their narratives, filing cases against the perpetrators, and providing one another mutual support. We take this as the budding hope of healing for the families and loved ones. Through the strong support and solidarity of advocates, we see beacons of hope pointing to when the call to “STOP the Killings” will reverberate, and more people will start to unshackle themselves from the bondage of silence and fear.
As we engage ourselves in this ministry, we meet people and learn from their narratives. As they give us both time and space to look into ourselves, we grow in knowledge and wisdom. Yet the image of learning does not come like the blossoming of flowers beneath a romantic moonlight — but through piercing stories of pain bursting through the sounds of bullets and the violence of tyranny and cruelty.
November 1 would not be another special holiday, but a reminder of the extravagance of violence because there is such a war called the war on drugs. This day, may we consider to light a candle in memory of every person that fell on the ground in cold-blooded murder.
NORMA P. DOLLAGA
Kapatirang Simbahan
Para sa Bayan
Kasimbayan
kasimbayan@yahoo.com.ph