Manila cops issue reminders to massacre anniversary marchers

Don't disrupt classes and traffic, and bring your rally permits. These were the last-minute reminders of the police to groups planning to stage a protest march on the first anniversary of the Ampatuan massacre on Tuesday. Groups led by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) are expected to march to Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang Palace on Tuesday to seek justice for the victims of the massacre. The groups are planning to hold a candle-lighting ceremony at the Mendiola Bridge in memory of the victims. Radio dwIZ reported early Tuesday the Manila Police District (MPD) secured Mendiola Bridge but reminded its personnel to practice maximum tolerance in dealing with the marchers. MPD spokesman Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo reminded the marchers they should not disrupt traffic or classes because Tuesday is not a holiday. On Monday, NUJP chairman Nestor Burgos Jr. said foreign journalists were expected to join Tuesday's march, though mainly as observers. Maguindanao massacre The Maguindanao massacre, also known as the Ampatuan massacre, occurred on November 23, 2009 in Ampatuan town in Mindanao's Maguindanao province. At that time, the massacre victims were on their way to file Esmael Mangudadatu's certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor. Mangudadatu, the vice-mayor of Buluan town at the time of the massacre, eventually won the gubernatorial race in the May 10, 2010 polls. The 57 people who were killed and buried in a mass grave in Ampatuan town included Mangudadatu's wife, his two sisters, as well as journalists, lawyers, aides, and motorists who were witnesses or were mistakenly identified as part of the convoy. — VVP, GMANews.TV