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Nov. 23 is nat'l day of remembrance for massacre victims


President Benigno Aquino III on Monday declared November 23, 2010 a national day of remembrance for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre, which occurred exactly a year ago on that date. “It is appropriate for the nation to pause and reflect on one year having passed since the massacre horrified the Filipino people and the world, and that justice must be served on the perpetrators," Aquino said in Proclamation No. 73, which he signed Monday. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said some Cabinet secretaries will be wearing black and joining the candle-lighting in Mendiola to commemorate the massacre, perceived to be the worst politically-motivated killing in the history of the country. Lacierda said the Palace is assessing whether to lift the state of emergency in Maguindanao, which was imposed after the massacre after consultation with stakeholders. He said Aquino, who is in favor of a live coverage of the hearings on the massacre, will also issue a statement on the matter on Tuesday. Despite being declared a national day of remembrance, Tuesday will not be a holiday, the Palace clarified. Fifty-seven bodies—25 civilians and 32 media practitioners—were found on a grassy hilltop in Ampatuan town in Mindanao on Nov. 23, 2009. One body, that of Tacurong City-based Midland Review photojournalist Reynaldo "Bebong" Momay, was never found. Authorities suspect Momay was the 58th victim but could not officially include him in the list because aside from his dentures, no other traces of his remains have been found. The victims were in a convoy on their way to file the candidacy of then Buluan Vice Mayor and now Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto" Mangudadatu when they were flagged down by several armed men and brought to a grassy hilltop in Sitio Masalay, where they were shot and buried allegedly upon orders from then Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., who surrendered to authorities on Nov. 26, 2009 and is now under custody of the National Bureau of Investigation. Andal Jr. and 195 others, including his father and other relatives, policemen and militiamen, are facing 57 counts of murder for the carnage. So far, 82 suspects have been arrested while more than 100 remain at large. - KBK, GMANews.TV

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