Kin of Maguindanao massacre victims urge NAPOLCOM anew to resolve case vs 62 cops

On the sixth anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre, families of the victims have asked the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) to resolve the administrative case against the 62 police officers implicated in the worst election-related violence in the Philippines. 

 

A report by Marisol Abdurahman on GMA-7's "24 Oras" on Monday said that the relatives of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre went to NAPOLCOM and filed a second motion to resolve the case they submitted  in June 2011. 

 

"Hindi talaga simple. Sixty-two respondents po ito at iniiwasan po namin magmadali at magkaroon ng injustice," said NAPOLCOM vice chairman Eduardo Escueta. 

 

The first motion was submitted in November 2014. 

 

To mark the sixth anniversary of the massacre, the National Press Club and the National Union of Journalists in Philippines both staged rallies on streets, pressing the government to resolve the case. 

 

 

Fifty-eight people died in the Maguindanao massacre and 32 of them were journalists and media workers. 

 

They were in a convoy carrying journalists, lawyers, and relatives of then Maguindanao Vice Mayor Datu Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu. They were on their way to the Commission on Elections office in Shariff Aguak to support for Mangudadatu's filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) for governor when they were ambushed and killed by around 100 armed men. 

 

Mangudadatu was challenging then Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of then incumbent Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. 

 

Victims also include Mangudadatu's 20 relatives including his wife Bai Genalin and his sister Bai Eden. 

 

Updates from DOJ, Palace, SC 

 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has assured the families that they are pursuing justice for all of them despite the challenges. 

 

"To the families of the victims, please be assured that your DOJ remains steadfast in its pursuit of fairness and justice for all of you. Our commitment continues and our doors are open. Please bear with us as the road to justice is challenging," said DOJ spokesperson USec. Emmanuel Caparas in a text message to GMA News.  

 

The Palace also said that it is seeking closure on the Maguindanao massacre. 

 

"We recognize that as long as the case is ongoing, there will be no closure for the victims or the relatives of the victims of the Ampatuan massacre," presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said. 

 

However, just like everyone else, the Palace is also waiting for the outcome of the trial. 

 

The Supreme Court (SC), meanwhile, reported on Monday that 111 of the 197 accused were arrested and arraigned. Three of them have alread died, including the alleged mastermind of the massacre Andal Ampatuan Sr. The patriach of the powerful Ampatuan clan passed away in July. 

 

Of the 197 accused, 15 of them have the surname Ampatuan.  

 

SC added that one of the accused was dropped from the Informations, one was also discharged, and another one was dismissed. 

 

The Court also said that it has already heard a total of 178 witnesses--93 prosecution witnesses, 27 defense witnesses, and 58 private complainants, as of November 23.  — Trisha Macas/ELR, GMA News