Five hundred days after at least 57 people, including more than 30 journalists, were brutally murdered in Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009, Philippine and international media groups are still demanding “action" from the Aquino administration on the matter. Lamenting that not one of the masterminds had been convicted, the groups voiced outrage and deep concerns over “continuing delays" in prosecuting key personalities who stand accused of perpetrating the massacre and other media killings in the Philippines. “President Aquino and his administration must show a firm commitment to end impunity by ensuring that perpetrators of violence against journalists are brought to justice," they said in a statement, excerpts of which were posted on the website of the International Federation of Journalists. “The atrocity in Ampatuan Town, Maguindanao, on 23 November 2009 occurred in the context of a decades-long culture of impunity for violence against journalists and other human rights defenders in the Philippines," they added. IFJ, with a membership of 600,000 journalists in 125 countries, is among the groups calling on President Benigno Aquino III to direct his administration to provide the necessary resources and support to ensure the swift prosecution of the accused. Other groups that made a similar call included:
- World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC)
- Article 19
- Centre for Law and Democracy
- Committee to Protect Journalists
- Index on Censorship
- International Federation of Journalists
- International Media Support
For now,
trials are under way for 52 defendants in the Maguindanao massacre. Among the total 195 charged, 83 are in custody while 106 remain at large. But the IFJ noted that alleged attempts to stall and subvert the judicial process have national and international journalists’ groups gravely concerned. “This includes alleged offers of bribes to victims’ families, and intimidation and deadly violence against witnesses, according to research by the Committee to Protect Journalists," it said. It said at least one witness, “Jesse," was killed in June 2010. “Jesse" was a member of the Ampatuan family militia, whose leaders are among those accused of organizing the massacre. “Jesse" was in the process of enrolling in the Justice Department’s witness protection program and had given several press interviews detailing his role as one of the gunmen in the 2009 massacre.
Delays in 2010 and 2011 The IFJ said that throughout 2010 and 2011, proceedings have been delayed as defense lawyers filed a series of motions, including efforts to remove the judge and prosecutors. It said the delays have added to the financial strain on witnesses and members of the victims’ families who are attending the hearings. “Further, prime suspect Zaldy Ampatuan has filed for a judicial review in the Philippine Court of Appeals. If the review favors him, Ampatuan will be removed from the list of accused, and released from detention in Manila," it said. In March 2011, defense lawyers placed an advertisement in two major broadsheet newspapers, alleging that journalists’ groups are hindering a fair trial for Zaldy Ampatuan, the former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, by attempting to influence the court’s decision.
Flawed forensic work? Philippine advocates and international experts have raised concerns that prosecution of the case is hindered by flawed forensic work and lack of cooperation among law enforcement officials. “Reports that some accused are enjoying special privileges while in detention are also extremely disturbing," the IFJ said. The IFJ said international partners are urging the Aquino administration to provide all necessary resources and support to assist the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, which has been assigned the Ampatuan Town massacre proceedings, to conduct hearings fairly and swiftly. “The partners stress that local groups representing journalists and media organizations have a right to freely express their concerns about the conduct of the case," it said. Citing its data, the IFJ said that as of Nov. 23, 2009, at least 59 journalists and media workers had been killed since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took office in 2001. “With inadequate police investigations and charges rarely laid, just five of these cases have gone to trial. Not a single mastermind of these crimes has been convicted," it said.
— MRT/VS, GMA News 
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