RECOMMENDATIONS

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for future research

To explore the effects on the changes in the family dynamics after the HRV incident, and how this affects the roles of each member as they move forward with their

lives — such as children having to stand as parents to their younger siblings— and how it affects the coping and recovery process of the family, especially the affected member. Physical separation for security purposes also affects the family’s relationship with one another, and how they try to deal with their grief, coping, and recovery. It is important to explore the long-term effects of family separation and how dynamics are changed because of this.

To further explore the systems the families are a part of, their biopsychosocial-

spiritual well-being, and their internal strengths. It is recommended for future research that hindering and facilitating factors during the grieving, coping, and recovery phase— both internal and external—be explored in more detail, and that the three stages are differentiated from each other such that a complete picture of their experiences can be seen. The aforementioned is critical to be undertaken, as the psychological factor of internal strengths has not yet been fully explored by other research, particularly in relation to the experiences of the surviving families of victims of EJKs. For grieving, a deeper analysis of their grieving process in relation to the different stages of grief could be a potential topic for further research. For coping, looking at the different methods of coping mentioned by the families is recommended to be explored as this could potentially identify the activities that could be helpful to families or individuals that are going through similar experiences. It is also suggested to expand the literature on how these families perceive their struggles and journey towards healing, especially on how they put meanings behind their experiences. All of these could further provide more information and basis on how institutions, communities, and families can support through various psychosocial spiritual interventions in their grieving, coping, and recovery processes.

To explore the perception of the public and media presentation. Succeeding research can look into the direct effects of the media branding and the community’s perception on the drug war and how they respond to such incidents that happen in their communities. It has been evident that discrimination and stigmatization of drug-related incidences are very common. Changing such perceptions can help the community become more open and understanding, thus strengthening the community support and protection that could be extended to the surviving families, especially since fear of retaliation and intimidation from the authorities are still immense concerns that linger long after the incident has taken place.

To identify the effects and impact of the pandemic. Future research can further explore the effects of the pandemic to the healing process of the survivors, especially with the continuous EJK incidents during the pandemic. The quarantine protocols during the pandemic has also affected how these families were able to avail and access the services and assistance provided to them by different institutions.

To identify the financial needs and support services and to strengthen the capacity

to access basic social services. It is likewise suggested for future research to explore the possibility of the survivors having to focus on their economic needs resulting in them becoming unable to process the documents necessary should they attempt to get assistance from the government or from other organizations and institutions who are providing similar or relevant services. Such will be helpful in providing a connection between the survivor’s access to service and their holistic well-being and motivation at that time. Having different options or pathways from the government, private sector, and NGOs could be very helpful to the families in identifying livelihood and economic opportunities for these families during the coping and recovery phase.

for practice and services

To outline and utilize a comprehensive list of possible government services that would help in ensuring all received government services have been accounted for in order to achieve a more objective review of government service accessibility.

Important points to take note of are the value of the assistance disbursed along with the respective period and purpose (e.g. immediately for funeral expenses), and what particular kind (for example, government assistance could take the form of funeral discount vouchers or actual cash on hand). In addition, default government services ought to be outlined and accounted for as well during data gathering, whether the participants are un/aware or un/able to access these services would also be helpful (e.g. Philhealth coverage, SSS pension, free or government subsidized education for the children of surviving families etc., PAGIBIG loans or savings etc.).

To identify and collaborate with other institutions that could provide similar

services in support of the services provided by the government. It is acknowledged that access to government services can be limited, particularly for those whose cases are related or connected to the drug war, in addition to the fact that they are also part of the marginalized sector. Thus it is suggested that while we are pushing for these services to be available and accessible, it is also necessary to collaborate with different institutions that could complement such services, or provide immediate relief while waiting for the assistance that should be provided for by the state.

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To address the biopsychosocial-spiritual impacts of the HRVs to the families and

support their needs in their journey to recovery. Aside from continuous research and analysis, it is also essential to look at the different programs or services that can be given to the families in support of their biopsychosocial-spiritual needs and strengths, and how it can be enhanced and managed to help the families in their recovery process. Expanding the network of institutions that can provide the necessary biopsychosocialspiritual services is essential in providing a holistic support network for the surviving families left behind.

To highlight the various public health issues regarding WoD. The militaristic and punitive approach in dealing with drug use and rehabilitation has only worsened the issues regarding the government’s ill equipped approach towards this issue. This was illustrated by the lack of respective government programs, especially during the onset of the campaign, when government centers were overwhelmed by the sheer number of “surrenderees,” and how those who have undergone the supposed programs primarily cite physical activities e.g. Zumba sessions, despite the intricacies and need for a multidisciplinary and multisectoral approach. Lastly, the fact that the killings, which have reached several thousands (Amnesty International, 2017), and left countless families deprived of their loved ones (many of whom were breadwinners) to suffer further poverty, marginalization and unspeakable trauma point to a future generation that is in need of urgent and sustainable support systems in order to counter the cycle of violence and poverty.

To engage healthcare and public health practitioners in service provision and

empowerment. Building on the fact that WoD is indeed a public health issue, it is of tantamount importance to engage healthcare providers in the rectification of the ongoing campaign, and in planning and implementation of better policies and projects. The insights of healthcare and public health practitioners must be taken into account to further expand the pool of psychosocial service providers, being mostly shouldered by the nonprofit sector in terms of this issue, and to provide necessary medical care to surviving family members. Ensuring healthcare services, including relevant medical provision to family members, would definitely strengthen the ongoing coping and healing efforts as intense trauma has been proven to compromise the bodily health of these families, in addition to the fact that medical healthcare is costly. To leave these families vulnerable to having to pay for their medical needs is to further compromise their health as their budgets are already stretched for both the daily needs and educational needs of their family members.

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To increase knowledge and awareness on the legal processes. There is a need to strengthen the rights and legal knowledge of individuals and communities particularly in the hotspot areas where most of the EJKs happen. A common sentiment is the lack of knowledge and awareness that injustice has been committed against them when the incident took place, thus discouraging these families to consider legal action. Further studies and literature can be done and published to present the actual legal process that families go through and how they have attained the justice that they deserve. This is essential in encouraging the other surviving families to pursue their legal claims as well. Aside from education and awareness, strengthening of the witness protection program for the families is also advised to help encourage more witnesses to testify and help the families pursue the legal remedies that they need to go through.