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8 journalists massacred in Maguindanao laid to rest


Anger and grief enveloped the burial of at least eight journalists who were massacred in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao on November 23, while the tears of those who were left behind overflowed as they refused to let go of their loved ones’ coffins. Finally, kin and friends watched as the eight coffins finally slid into the ground, carrying the bodies of the following: Ian Subang of Socsargen of Today, Gina dela Cruz of Saksi News, Lea Dalmacio of Socksargen News, Ronnie Perante of Gold Star Daily, Marife Montaño of Saksi News, Maritess Cablitas of News Focus, Russel Morales of News Focus, and Rubello Bataluna of Gold Star Daily. Their remains were laid to rest, one beside each other, at Forrest Lake Memorial in General Santos City on Friday morning.

KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. Among the media casualties in the November 23 massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao. (From L-R) Victor Nuñez (UNTV); Mark Gilbert Arriola (UNTV); Jolito Evardo (from UNTV who is still missing); Daniel Tiamzon (UNTV);Alejandro Reblando (Manila Bulletin); Rey Merisco (Periodico Ini); Noel Decena (Periodico Ini); Bienvenido Legarta (Punto Periodico); Gina dela Cruz (Saksi News); Lea Dalmacio (Socsargen News); Napoleon Salaysay (Mindanao Gazette); Benjie Adolfo (Gold Star Daily); Ronie Perante (Gold Star Daily); Rubello Bataluna (Gold Star Daily); Santos Gatchalian (DXGO); Lindo Lupogan (Mindanao Daily Gazette)
Most of the relatives turned hysterical while tightly embracing the coffins. Even the local media who were covering the interment could not help but get emotionally overwhelmed while paying their last respects to their fallen fellows. Their cry: Justice! In her report aired over QTV Balitanghali, GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo said most of the journalists’ kin wore a shirt with "Justice for the victims of Maguindanao massacre" printed on it. For his part, Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, who attended the joint burial, pledged before the relatives of the slain journalists that justice would be served. At least 57 people were killed in the bloodbath that is being blamed on the powerful and Arroyo-allied Ampatuan clan. Thirty-one of them were journalists who were only accompanying the wife of Buluan town vice mayor Ismael “Toto" Mangudadatu file his certificate of candidacy for governor in the province. Witnesses claimed that Datu Unsay town mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., who is reportedly being groomed by his father to succeed him as governor of Maguindanao, led some 100 armed men in intercepting the convoy that was heading towards Shariff Aguak, the provincial capitol. The victims’ bullet-riddled bodies were later found in Barangay (village) Salman in Ampatuan town, some of them quickly buried in mass graves that was believed dug using a government-owned backhoe. The prime suspect in the killing, Andal Ampatuan Jr., is currently detained at the National Bureau of Investigation while awaiting murder raps of 25 counts. The Department of Justice said the charges are expected to be augmented once all the affidavits have been processed. Ampatuan Jr., for his part, has denied involvement in the crime. - JV/GMANews.TV
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