Kin of Maguindanao massacre victims remember 16th year of deadly attack

Relatives of the victims of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre observed the 16th anniversary of the worst and deadliest election-related violence and media attack in history on Sunday by visiting the graves of their loved ones.

According to a “24 Oras Weekend” report on Sunday, members of the Mangundadatu family brought flowers for the tombs of their five relatives who were slain in the massacre.

Family members said they still continue to call for justice to be served for all 58 victims, which included 32 journalists and media workers.

On Nov. 23, 2009, supporters and relatives of then Buluan vice mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu were on their way to file his certificate of candidacy for governor to challenge Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of the incumbent governor.

In Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, armed men abducted the members of the Mangudadatu convoy as well as media practitioners covering the filing of Mangudadatu’s candidacy bid. The victims were shot and then hastily buried in mass graves dug by backhoes.

According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, 44 accused were convicted for the Maguindanao massacre as of 2022 while 88 are still at large. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/JMA, GMA Integrated News