Author

Abegail Dimple C. Alberastine*
Mindanao State University, General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines

Abstract

Armed conflict and insurgency in Mindanao, especially in the southern part of the region, have resulted in the deaths of many soldiers serving in the Armed Forces units. Widowed wives carry the dual responsibility of coping with grief while raising their children, often without sufficient economic or emotional support. This study explores the lived experiences of families of fallen soldiers in South Cotabato, with particular focus on their narratives on emotional and economic challenges, as well as the government support systems that sustain them. The research design of this study is a narrative research design; the study employed in-depth interviews with wives of fallen soldiers with dependent children through thematic analysis. The researcher used snowball sampling to identify all research participants. This study used an interview guide questionnaire to gather data from the wives of fallen soldiers residing within the municipalities of the Province of South Cotabato. Findings revealed that while government-provided pensions, housing programs, and educational support offered some relief, families often faced unmet emotional needs. Despite existing policies and programs aimed at assisting bereaved military families, there remains a limited understanding of how these families navigate loss, maintain resilience, and continue their daily lives in the aftermath of loss. Moreover, participants emphasized the importance of remembrance and memorialization activities in honoring the sacrifices of their loved ones, which provided both solace and motivation to be resilient. These findings underscore the need for holistic support programs that integrate financial assistance, mental health services, educational opportunities, and community-based networks. In conclusion, this research contributes to the limited local scholarship on the context of fallen soldiers in the Philippines by providing an understanding of the lived experiences of families of fallen soldiers. It calls for policy improvements, targeted interventions, and strengthened community support mechanisms to ensure the wellbeing and resilience of bereaved families. The study not only informs military and government agencies but also advocates for a more empathetic societal response to the families who bear the enduring impact of service and sacrifice for the nation.

Keywords: Fallen soldiers, bereaved military families, grief and resilience, government support systems, South Cotabato.

*Corresponding author
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05021085

Recommended citation:
Alberastine, A. D. C. (2026). The families of fallen soldiers in South Cotabato: Stories of loss and support. Pantao (The International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 5 (2), 3155-3176. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05021085

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