How to help mother whose son was shot as a quarantine violator

Merlyn Ragos, 57, has had to grapple with poverty and the sudden demise of her son Winston at the hands of the police during the pandemic.

On April 21, Winston stepped out of his family’s house to buy coke and a cigarette. He later ended up getting shot by a policeman when he was seen reaching for his shoulder bag. It was the most graphic fatality during the early lockdowns in President Rodrigo Duterte’s Philippines, as videos of the shooting surfaced on social media.

The military, discovering that Winston had been one of their own, launched its own probe. The Army took Merlyn under its protection and gave Winston a hero’s burial. But this was not enough for Merlyn, who sought justice for her son. She and the National Bureau of Investigation filed a complaint with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. 

After 7 months, his case has not moved forward, and his mother is living in poverty. Merlyn has forced herself to work as a manicurist despite being vulnerable to the virus. She continued to work as a manicurist, visiting the homes of a handful of clients every two weeks for a few hundred pesos to get by.

The money the military gave her has run out. Consumed by “hiya (shame),” she has refused to ask for more and would rather work and endanger herself.

As for her son’s case, Merlyn said the Commission on Human Rights is still waiting for it to reach the court before they could help her.

Those who want to help Merlyn Ragos can send any amount of money to help her get by as she pushes to find justice for her son. Interested donors may send donations to Merlyn Ragos through Palawan Express using the number 09168745062. – Rappler.com