World · Philippines Bureau
Church holds Mass for extrajudicial killing victims before Undas
Families of Filipinos killed in extrajudicial violence gathered for a commemorative Mass on October 29, seeking spiritual solace and renewed calls for justice as the country approaches Undas.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA—Relatives of extrajudicial killing victims came together at the Diocesan Shrine of Jesus the Divine Word–Christ the King Mission Seminary to honor their deceased loved ones and appeal for accountability. The gathering occurred ahead of Undas, the traditional Filipino observance when families visit and pay respects to departed family members.
The Mass, presided over by Fr. Flaviano "Flavie" Villanueva, provided an opportunity for grieving families to collectively remember those lost to extrajudicial killings while maintaining pressure on authorities to pursue justice in these cases. The timing of the observance underscored the ongoing pain experienced by families still seeking answers and accountability years after the deaths.
The commemorative event reflected deepening concerns about unsolved killings and the continued absence of convictions in many EJK cases. As Filipinos prepare for All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day observances, the Mass served as both a spiritual tribute and a public reminder of the unresolved cases that continue to affect thousands of Filipino families seeking closure and justice.