Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD, blesses palm fronds of families and relatives of victims of the Philippine war on drugs at the Catholic Trade compound in Manila on April 13, 2025. A procession follows.
Families of drug war victims marked Palm Sunday with prayer and remembrance. Holding palm branches and photos of their loved ones, they joined a liturgical celebration led by Fr. Villanueva, a priest known for supporting victims of extrajudicial killings.
The event began with the blessing of palms and continued with a street procession, echoing the biblical account of Jesus entering Jerusalem.
Many of those present carried images of children, sons, and daughters killed in recent years. The ritual served not only as a religious observance but also as a public act of mourning and a call for justice.
Participants gathered in a circle, raised their palms, and walked together in silence. For the families, Palm Sunday became a way to honor the dead, express their grief, and show unity in seeking truth and accountability.
All photos by Angie de Silva
Families of victims of the Philippine war on drugs hold photos of their slain loved ones and palm branches during a Palm Sunday rite led by Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD, at the Catholic Trade compound in Manila on April 13, 2025. The gathering combined religious observance with a call for justice and remembrance. Photo by Angie de Silva. 
