CALOOCAN CITY — Cardinal Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David, the newly appointed 10th Filipino cardinal, presided over a solemn Christmas Mass on Thursday, December 19, for the widows, scholars, and families affected by extrajudicial killings (EJK). The Mass, held at the Chancery Office of the Diocese of Kalookan, San Roque Cathedral, brought together families who have suffered the loss of loved ones in the wake of the controversial “War on Drugs.”

During the service, the families of the EJK victims paid tribute to their departed loved ones by offering candles, prayers, and flowers, which were placed in front of portraits of the victims. This heartfelt gesture created an atmosphere of reflection and remembrance. Cardinal David blessed the offerings and led prayers for the eternal rest of the victims, providing comfort and hope to the grieving families.

According to the Diocese of Kalookan, the program for EJK victims has been launched to provide assistance to the orphaned children and widowed spouses of those unjustly killed by the campaign. The initiative, led by Cardinal David as “shepherd” of the diocese, ensures spiritual, social, and economic support for the families, helping them in their challenging pursuit of justice for their loved ones.

Known for his strong stance on human rights, Cardinal David has been a vocal critic of former President Duterte’s “War on Drugs.” As bishop of the Diocese of Caloocan, a hotspot for drug-related extrajudicial killings, Cardinal David has consistently condemned the actions of EJK vigilantes. He has also been a key advocate for the protection of witnesses, including those in the case of teenager Kian delos Santos. The killings associated with the drug war continue to be a hot topic in Congress, as well as a subject of an ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court.

In 2020, the Department of Justice (DOJ) dropped sedition charges against then-Bishop David, along with Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani, and others, due to a lack of evidence.

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