Aquino vows justice as nation mourns massacre victims

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (UPDATED 4:30 p.m.) - Exactly a year ago, the nation fell into shock as news came out about the most gruesome political violence in the world — 57 people were murdered and buried in open pits in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao. On Tuesday, November 23, declared a National Day of Remembrance by Malacañang, activities were lined up in remembrance of the victims. President Benigno Simeon Aquino III promised that justice would be served for the Ampatuan massacre victims. Aquino said on Tuesday the Ampatuan massacre case was a "litmus test" or a critical indication of success or failure of the justice system. "The resolution of these cases has become the litmus test of our justice system. It is one of the top priorities of the Justice Department. We will not rest until justice has been served," Aquino said in a statement. "Today we again offer our condolences to the families of the victims and vow to do everything in our power to achieve a timely resolution of this case and ensure that this does not happen again," added the president. In Ampatuan town, where the mass killing was carried out, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu led some 3,000 people in a pilgrimage to remember the victims. Mangudadatu's wife and sisters were among the 57 people killed on November 23 last year. The 3,000 people that gathered at Sitio Masalay in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town on Tuesday included families of victims and representatives of journalists' groups and human rights organizations. At the massacre site, people began arriving as early as 6 a.m. to commemorate the worst case of political violence in the nation's history. They also called for justice as the Ampatuan case draws on with no end in sight. The people congregated around a concrete marker engraved with the names of the victims. White doves and white balloons were likewise released during commemoration activities.
During the program held at a newly-constructed pavilion, Mangudadatu said: "Isang taon na ang nakalipas. Nagiging mailap pa rin ang hustisya para sa mga biktima ng massacre. Lahat ay mag-ingat sa mga natitirang impluwensiya ng pamilyang Ampatuan." (A year has passed. Justice continues to elude the victims of the massacre. We must all be vigilant against the Ampatuan clan, which remains influential.) During the commemoration activities, De Lima handed out 26 unclaimed checks worth P50,000 to relatives of the victims as initial assistance from the government. She also vowed that the government will do everything at its disposal to ensure justice for the victims. In a report by Chino Gaston on QTV's Balitanghali, Mangudadatu lamented that justice remains elusive as the government struggles to prosecute 197 suspects and hear the testimonies of over 500 witnesses. The governor likewise warned of the political influence that the Ampatuan clan still allegedly wields, despite having been displaced frm the province's local government. Gaston's report also said the relatives of the victims were also present during the program. They included Joy Labdang, who had a framed picture of her brother Rey Merisco, a journalist.

People who commemorated the anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre carry a huge poster bearing photographs of the 33 journalists killed in the incident. Jerrie Abella

Labdang said that although Merisco’s fate was painful for her, she said at least his death led to the erosion of the Ampatuans’ stronghold on the region. Earlier, some 45 relatives of the victims and over 30 journalists staged a motorcade of some 15 vehicles from Koronadal City all the way to Sitio Masalay, Barangay salman in Ampatuan town, to retrace the route of the massacre victims. Mangudadatu likewise staged a separate motorcade of about 50 vehicles, which included De Lima and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles. Former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo, a former journalist, was also present in the commemoration activities. The aging mother of victim McDelbert Arriola of UNTV in General Santos City meanwhile broke down while offering candles and flowers in one of the three grave sites in the massacre. At least five members of the Momay family also attended the commemoration activity, clad in orange statement shirts that cry not only for justice but for the retrieval of the body of Reynaldo Momay, a photojournalist for Tacurong City-based Midland Review, whose remains apart from his dentures have yet to be found. Momay is considered the 58th massacre victim, although only 57 murder charges have been filed against the suspects as Momay's body remains missing.

Around 3,000 people poured into the massacre site at Sitio Masalay in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town in honor of the 58 victims of the Maguindanao carnage. Jerrie Abella

Press freedom In Quezon City, Metro Manila, the College of Mass Communication (CMC) of the University of the Philippines-Diliman unveiled its own marker, called “Pananda ng Pag-alala at Paglaban," as a tribute to the victims of the massacre. The CMC also officially named its Annex Lobby the "Bulwagan ng Kalayaan sa Pamamahayag," as a symbol of their call for press freedom and justice for the 32 journalists slain in Maguindanao. After a program at UP Diliman, the CMC joined a mass action scheduled at Mendiola, led by the November 23 Movement, a coalition of media groups and organizations. A statement signed by the staff, faculty, and students of CMC called the massacre the "worst single assault on journalists and media workers in history." The statement noted that the Maguindanao massacre was "a test of the resolve of the media community and the citizenry" to ensure that those responsible for the crime are punished. The statement also said "the culture of impunity that encourages the killings – not only of journalists but of political activists as well, and of judges, lawyers and progressive local officials" must be dismantled. Meanwhile, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), a nationwide alliance of student publications, also held a series of activities to mark Maguindanao massacre. Student journalists in the National Capital Region (NCR) attended the rally at Mendiola bridge, while other members of the CEGP from Visayas, Mindanao, and other areas of Luzon lit candles, held vigils, and wore black shirts to express solidarity with the victims. Trina Federis, CEGP national president, said that they would continue holding protest actions for “as long as justice remains elusive." International solidarity November 23 has also been declared a Global Day of Action by the International Federation of Journalists. In a statement, United States Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. assured Filipinos that the victims will be remembered "every day until justice is done." "On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, I again offer condolences and solidarity to the friends and family of the 58 innocent men and women, including 32 media members, who were shot and killed without mercy one year ago today in Maguindanao. They will be remembered by the tolling of bells, by the lighting of candles, and in our prayers, not just today, but every day until justice is done," he said. He lauded members of the police and DOJ for being committed to investigating the ghastly details of this heinous crime and prosecuting the accused. He also commended the courage of the witnesses who have come forward to testify, despite threats and intimidation. Thomas said the US stands in daily admiration of those journalists, politicians, and community leaders "who carry on their important work in memory of their colleagues, their spouses, their friends who were so brutally murdered a year ago today." Meanwhile, Australian ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith also joined in the nationwide commemoration of the Maguindanao massacre, condemning in a statement “the brutal murder of innocent civilians and journalists." “The scale and brutality of the Maguindanao massacre sparked outrage… around the world," said Smith in the statement released today by the Australian Embassy. Smith added that the massacre “brought renewed attention to the human rights, security and governance challenges facing the Philippines," and urged the Aquino administration to bring the perpetrators to justice. “The credible and expeditious conduct of the trial will be critical in demonstrating the Philippines’ commitment to protecting human rights and upholding the rule of law," Smith said. Security tight On Sunday, two days before the Ampatuan massacre anniversary, an explosion rocked Shariff Aguak Central School in Maguindanao province wounding two civilians. The explosion was likely the work of those “trying to scare off people expected to flock at the massacre site to the first year anniversary commemoration of the Maguindanao massacre," De Lima said. According to a report by Maj. Gen. Anthony Alcantara of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, one of those injured was the wife of a local official. The blast was likely from an improvised explosive device or IED, the report said. “Whoever [was] behind this latest incident [is] probably trying to scare off the hundreds expected to flock at the massacre site tomorrow [Monday] for the first year commemoration of the massacre site," De Lima said in a text message. “Some people are simply heartless and evil," she added. On Tuesday, security was tight during the program. The site as well as the surrounding areas have been combed by a Philippine Army bomb squad using mine detectors and bomb-sniffing dogs. At least four military battalions were also deployed to secure Brgy. Salman, where the massacre happened in an area a few kilometers away from the main road. Tanks were also stationed at nearby Shariff Aguak, a former base of the Ampatuans. The day of the bloodbath On November 23 last year, 57 people, including 32 journalists — were brutally killed and buried in a mass grave allegedly by the candidate's political rival and his private army. The 57 people included Mangudadatu's wife, his two sisters, journalists, lawyers, aides, and motorists who were witnesses or were mistakenly identified as part of the convoy. At that time, the massacre victims were on their way to file Mangudadatu's certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor. Mangudadatu, then Buluan vice-mayor, won the gubernatorial post in the May 10 polls. The main suspect, former Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., was accused of ambushing Mangudadatu's election convoy and ordering about 200 gunmen to mow down the victims in a mass grave. Ampatuan has pleaded not guilty. – with Carmela Lapeña, Larissa Mae Suarez/Jam Sisante/VVP/RSJ, GMANews.TV