Article Archive

Thirteen years since the massacre of 58 people, including 32 journalists, in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, families of the victims continue rallying for true and full justice. If the Philippine government enacted policies to protect journalists following the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre, they said there would have been no more killings and attacks against media workers.

The Ampatuans and their associates had 597 bank accounts, 500 hectares of real property assets, 130 motor vehicles, 420 firearms, and a private army many hundreds strong. Their scions now stand accused in the murder of 58 persons, including 32 journalists and media workers, in the Ampatuan Massacre of Nov. 23, 2009.

Judgment day by the court comes tomorrow for the 197 accused of multiple murder of 58 persons, including 32 journalists and media workers, in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, on Nov. 23, 2009. For 10 years now, the widows and orphans of those killed had longed for justice.

The lessons of the trial belong to the people so these can empower them to end impunity, to change the culture of politics and the course of our national history.  For the victims, the decision should allow them finally to rest in peace, grant their loved ones a measure of justice, and with it, comfort and consolation after their long wait.