Families of desaparecidos to gather, light 1,000 candles on All Souls’ Day

Having no tombs to visit, families of the victims of enforced disappearances and alleged extrajudicial killings are set to gather, light candles and offer prayers for their disappeared loved ones in observance of All Souls Day.

In an advisory, the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) said that about 50 families are expected to lead the gathering of "A thousand candles and prayers for victims of State violence" at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City.

More than a hundred religious, human rights advocates, and activists are also expected to join the event.

"While most Filipinos fondly relive the memories of their dearly departed on All Saints Day and All Souls Day, families of desaparecidos have no closure nor graves to visit. Members of the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND) traditionally gather together to remember their loved ones," TFDP said.

"This year, they will be commemorating All Souls Day with the families of victims of EJK (extrajudicial killing) under the government’s war on drugs," it added.

Families of desaparecidos are expected to voice their testimonies at the event. A holy Mass presided by Fr. Flaviano ‘Flavie’ Villanueva, SVD will also be held.

This will be followed by the lighting of about a thousand of candles then a procession starting from Bantayog ng mga Bayani going to the Commission on Human Rights compound. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/LBG, GMA News