Society of Jesus' social apostolate

May 8, 2025 | Opinion

In a poignant piece, Fr. Emmanuel “Nono” L. Alfonso, SJ, sheds light on the ongoing trauma faced by families of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims under Duterte’s War on Drugs. Published in Currents, the article captures the stories of survivors who attended a trauma counseling session at UGAT Foundation, Ateneo de Manila University.

Fr. Alfonso recounts the heartbreaking testimonies of children and teenagers who lost parents, grandparents, and financial supporters to the state-led campaign of violence. Since 2023, Jesuits have been providing aid to 50 families, initially focusing on shelter and livelihood, but the need for trauma counseling became evident only last December.

The article also calls attention to how the broader Filipino society is in collective denial about the atrocities, suggesting that a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, similar to South Africa’s post-apartheid initiative, may be necessary for national healing. Fr. Alfonso emphasizes that without addressing the psychological scars of these violent years, the trauma will continue to fester.

Read the full article and explore related discussions on trauma, justice, and reconciliation at Jesuit Communications.