VP Leni’s photo gallery aims to inspire Filipinos

Vice President Leni Robredo wants the orphans and widows of drug war victims, who are faced with grief and anguish, to feel that they are not alone. According to her, “Iyong pagpapaalala lang sa kanila na hindi sila nakakalimutan, malaking bagay na para sa kanila (We remind them that they are not forgotten, it is a big thing for them.)”

Such are the stories featured in the special edition of Robredo’s Istorya ng Pag-asa (Stories of Hope) project, a traveling photo gallery that aims to inspire and empower Filipinos.

The exhibit created a space for the stories of suffering and struggle of the orphaned families during the recent launch at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office in Quezon City.

It also told the stories of the other faces of the drug war such as the rehabilitated drug users as well as community-based rehabilitation advocates.

In her remarks, Robredo cited some of the former drug dependents who were able to recover from addiction and rebuild their lives, among them were Ray and Al.

Drug addiction tore Ray’s life and family apart but he got a second chance after he received help to overcome his addiction. In turn, he initiated his own rehabilitation program in Cebu to help drug addicts to recover.

The other is Al, who went to become a painter and teacher to children, after his rehabilitation.

“We decided to continue this exhibit to show, first, the importance of giving hope. Second, the value of community-based drug rehabilitation,” she said in Pilipino.

“And third, for us to be one with the families who lost their loved ones, because it is important that they feel that they are not forgotten and the government would ensure they get justice,” she added.

Government data showed 6,000 suspected drug personalities have been killed in the anti-drug operations since President Duterte assumed office in 2016.

Robredo called for justice and support for orphaned families of the drug war victims.