Families of victims of extrajudicial killings received the cremated remains of their loved ones during a ceremony at the Sacred Heart Shrine and Parish in Quezon City on March 11, 2026.
The turnover was facilitated by Program Paghilom following the exhumation and post-mortem examination of the remains, which had been buried for years in rented graves.
For many relatives, the return of the remains marked the first opportunity to properly mourn and honor those they lost.
The ceremony also included the unveiling of a Memorial Wall listing the names of victims under the care of Program Paghilom, creating a permanent space for remembrance and reflection on the human cost of extrajudicial killings.
Organizers said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to accompany affected families through psychosocial support, memorialization, and community solidarity.
The event coincided with the anniversary of the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, a date families associate with continuing calls for truth, accountability, and justice.
Photos by Jire Carreon and Vincent Go
