The fear of being targeted for further violence, which caused them to change residence,was
also reported in Region IX. In a case in Region X, the interviewee’s son had to move to
Manila for fear that he might be the next target, and also on the advice of the barangay
captain. It was only by luck that he was not in the house when unidentified gunmen killed
his two brothers. He and his siblings were known to be active in church and the manner of
their death was a shock to the famliy and community. Since the interviewee herself cannot
transfer to another residence, she takes extra care whenever she is in the house where her
sons were killed. Even her neighbors are concerned for her safety.
One interviewee (CAR) said that she has difficulties paying the house rent after her partner
was killed. She was unemployed when herpartner was still alive. The owners were
understanding of her situation, and were not strict with the date of payment as long as the
rent is paid within the month.
Also in CAR, the children of the EJK victim (aged 25 to 6) had to move away from their
neighborhood because they no longer felt safe. They had witnessed the mother’s drug
dealing, and there had been instances when theystopped by someone who said, “Di ba ikaw
yung anak ni C.?”or “Ikaw yung anak ni C., ikaw ata nagturo sa akin.”
On Women’s Feelings Toward their Community
There were 19interviewees(41.3%)who said that she and her family no longer felt safe in
their community after the EJK, even after a year since their family member was killed. The
unplanned change of residence is one indication of this. But generally, women stayed in
their community despite the fear that the killers might come after them next.
Mas maingat, hindi nakikipag-usap kung kani-kanino na hindi kilala. Hindi nalang ako
masyadong umiimik kasi baka kami ang isunod nila. (CAR)
Di na mapalagay o di na mapanatag ang loob ng aming mag-anak sa kadahilanag kami ay
nakakaramdam na maaring ito ay maulit pa. (Region III)
She said they feared for their own lives and claimed that the police mistakenly identified her
son as a drug user. (Region VII)
The atmosphere became somber, no one would go outside in the evening. The atmosphere
became very quiet. We were also scared that the culprits will harm us again so we close the
house early. (Region IX)
The atmosphere in the community also changed from that of a familiar, thus safe, place, to
one where violent killings by police or unknown gunmen can happen.
Laging may kaba, takot. Di sila tumitigil sa pagpatay. Baka may pulis (tanim ebidensiya)
ganyan. Dahil sa napapanood ko, natatakot ako para sa anak ko baka pumasok na lang ng
Panaghoy: The Philippine War on Drugs from the Perspective of Women
March 2019
35
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