Relatives of Maguindanao massacre victims call on Duterte for justice

Eight years after the gruesome murder of 58 people on Nov. 23, 2009, in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan Town, relatives, friends and supporters of the Maguindanao Massacre victims are appealing to President Rodrigo Duterte for justice by helping facilitate the resolution of cases against the perpetrators.

It was considered the worst case of election-related violence in Philippine history.

In a press conference at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Maguindanao Representative Zajid Mangudadatu emphasized the need to resolve the cases against the alleged perpetrators including the late Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr.  and his sons.

"I am not here for a blame game. I just want to remind everybody that we are still here waiting for justice to be served. We are fervently asking for your help because the case is still pending and progressing very slow," Mangudadatu said.

Maguindanao Massacre is being tried by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, Branch 221.

Mangudadatu said relatives of some of the victims have died such as Nancy dela Cruz and Mario Cadagdagon, parents of journalists Gina dela Cruz and Jepon Cadagdagon.

"The wounds may have healed but the abuse and impunity that the perpetrators of the Ampatuan, Maguindanao Massacre still remain fresh and bleeding. It will only stop when we have achieved justice," he said.

"I hope that President Duterte will continue to help us in this fight to show the world that in the Philippines criminals are given what is due to them. I firmly believe that President Duterte will be able to help us," the lawmaker added.

Fifty-eight people, including 32 journalists were killed on their way to Shariff Aguak. Among those killed was the wife of Esmael Mangudadatu, Genalyn. They were supposed to file Mangundadatu's certificate of candidacy for the May 2010 election.
 
In an attempt to cover up what happened, killers used backhoes to bury the bodies and the vehicles used by the Mangudadatu convoy.

Partial conviction

Nena Santos, counsel for the massacre victims, said during the press conference on Tuesday that only 112 of the 196 suspects have actually been arraigned and undergoing trial.

Most of the accused were able to present evidence, and Santo said there could be partial conviction by next year.

"Karamihan po sa mga defense ay nakatapos na. So we are expecting by this December, yung main accused po na si Datu Unsay Ampatuan ay magppresent na ng evidence niya for his defense, pero kaunti na lang 'yan," the lawyer said.

"We're looking at 2018 for a partial conviction insofar as the victims, the private prosecutors and the government prosecutors are concerned," she said.

Duterte could help the relatives of the victims by urging Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to come up with a statement regarding the incident, Santos noted.

"Since we are under the DOJ, the President should order the DOJ secretary to make a statement regarding this case, kasi wala kaming naririnig coming from him," she said.

Duterte could also help the relatives of the victims in terms of security and financial assistance, Santos noted.

"Ine-expect namin na the President should also help us by way of assistance to the victims. Security from the PNP, DOJ for the prosecution of the case, the assistance to the families of the victims dahil sobrang hirap nila sa buhay," she added. — VDS, GMA News