(JOEY A.GABIETA)
TACLOBAN CITY — The homes of the three students killed in the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School have become places of mourning visited by some of the country’s most influential political leaders. But amid the flowers, condolences, and promises of assistance, the victims’ families say their appeal remains unchanged: they want justice for their children.
Since the deadly campus shooting that claimed the lives of Joyancee Separa, 16; Nicole Daza, 14; and Chris Lorenz Fabian, 16, and left 20 others injured, including 15 with gunshot wounds, a stream of national officials has visited the wake of the slain students to express sympathy and extend assistance.
Among those who paid their respects were Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Senators Bam Aquino and Robin Padilla, and Vice President Sara Duterte. Floral wreaths bearing the name of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were also sent to the families.
For the grieving parents, however, the visits have not eased the pain of losing their children.
At the wake of Joyancee Separa, her mother, Jenny Baldoria, recalled how the wreath sent by Vice President Duterte was initially placed outside their home because there was no longer enough space beside her daughter’s coffin.
“I was later told that it should be brought inside, so we placed it beside the wreath sent by the President,” Baldoria said, adding that she was not home when both floral arrangements were delivered.
At the nearby wake of Chris Lorenz Fabian, wreaths from both President Marcos and Vice President Duterte also stood side by side.
Chris Lorenz’s grandmother, Ahlette Fabian, said the family’s appreciation for the expressions of sympathy remains overshadowed by their desire to see those responsible held accountable.
“We are grateful for the condolences and the support, but what we truly want is justice for Chris,” she said.
She added that she had heard reports that President Marcos might personally visit the wake, although no official confirmation had been received.
The June 22 shooting, one of the deadliest school attacks in recent Philippine history, has drawn national attention and renewed calls for stronger school security, improved mental health services, and stricter measures to prevent violence on school campuses.
The attack also unfolded against the backdrop of an increasingly visible political divide between President Marcos and Vice President Duterte, whose alliance in the 2022 elections has since unraveled. Yet inside the modest homes where the victims lie in state, politics has taken a back seat to grief.
Family photographs, school medals, and graduation dreams left unfulfilled now surround the coffins of the three teenagers. While wreaths and visits from the country’s highest officials have brought national attention to their loss, relatives say no gesture can replace the lives taken by the tragedy.
As investigations continue and the nation mourns, the families insist that the greatest tribute their children can receive is not from flowers or high-profile visits, but from the swift delivery of justice.
(JOEY A.GABIETA)
