Eight interviewees categorically stated that the victim was the main breadwinner of their
family, thus, their deaths seriously affected their access to basic needs such as food and
children’s education. In two cases, women mentioned expensive funeral and burial service
fees asreasons why they had to borrow a large amount of moneyor sell some property.
I was financially worried because I was about to give birth to our youngest child. I had no
money. His sister insisted to have the wake in her house but they also have no money. I had to
sell the three pigs whichI was supposed to sell when I am about to give birth. I was the one
who spent for his funeral. A month after, I gave birth with no money. I am left to raise four
children on my own. (Region X)
The first concern of the mother after hearing news of the child's death was financial. Where they
would get the money to cover the cost since even their daily expenditure is already hard enough.
It was suggested that they visit the mayor. The mayor promised to take care of the expenses but
the assistance never came (Region VIII).
The securing the children’s welfare is the priority for all interviewees: 11 interviewees
were worried because their children weregoing to school hungry, and there was not always
food in the house. In Region XII, the interviewee admitted that her children are dropped out
of school because of finacial difficulties; there are four school-aged children in the
household. One child of an EJK victim in Region VI and two in Region XIII also stopped
schooling because of lack of money, based on the interviews.
Lack of resources was not the only factor affecting the children’s welfare: there was also the
psychological impact, which in turn is manifested the children’s behavior:
Matapos ang pagkamatay niya, mababa ang mga grado nila [mga anak]. Tinamad sila,
pumapasok sila pero hindi ko nakikita ang pagpupursige nila…. Yung mga anak ko, nung last
day nila [sa eskuwelahan], ‘yung isang anak ko, namimiss pala niya ang papa nila pero hindi
siya nagsasalita sa bahay. Ayaw niyang sumama nalang ang loob ko. Pero unti-unti ko naman
siyang kinausap…Yung maliliit na bagay tulad ng paggawa nila ng bahag, hindi ko naman
maturo sakanila. May kulang na. (CAR)
Yung panganay, takot na umuwi sa bahay. (Region I)
My son used to be talkative and now he is quiet. (Region X)
Mrs. F further said that their granddaughter, JL, who is very much attached to her father,
suffered profound stress caused by the incident. They always see her crying, [she cries]
everytime she remembers her father. They wanted her to undergo psychological evaluation or
debriefing but they are financially constrained. (Region XI)
There were 12 interviewees who said their children were affected by their father’s death.
Apart from crying whenever they remember or were reminded of their fathers, fear or hate
of police officers is also an effect:
Yung mga bata, nagkaroon sila ng ano, lalo na ‘yung pinapanuod nila ngayon, mga barilbaril
sa Probinsyano [a popular television series]…. Mayroon nang epekto sa pag-iisip nila,
Panaghoy: The Philippine War on Drugs from the Perspective of Women
March 2019
32
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