CA asked to recognize Bebot Momay as 58th Maguindanao massacre victim

The family of Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay on Monday asked the Court of Appeals to judicially recognize him as the 58th victim in the Maguindanao massacre.

Atty. Gilbert Andres, executive director of the Center for International Law Philippines, filed a 15-page manifestation on behalf of Momay’s family and the families of 19 other victims of the massacre.

They asked the CA to correct clerical errors, noting that Momay’s name was not listed as a party in the case despite the filing of their notice of appeal in January 2020.

“Kaya hinihingi namin na i-recognize talaga na kasama doon si Reynaldo ‘Bebot’ Momay doon sa Maguindanao massacre,” Andres said.

(That is why we are asking that Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay be truly recognized as among those included in the Maguindanao massacre.)

Andres said that the Quezon City Regional Trial Court previously acquitted the accused in Momay’s case. It also dismissed his family's claim for damages.

“It’s been 16 years, and until now walang acknowledgment for my dad. Napakahirap sa amin 'yun. We don’t have closure. We don’t have the body,” Ma. Reynafe “Nenen” Momay-Castillo, daughter of Momay, was quoted as saying in the manifestation.

“The pain remains deep and unresolved for our family because justice remains incomplete…Our call is very simple… to recognize that my dad is a victim and to grant our family justice,” she added.

Aside from this, the heirs of 19 victims of the massacre also called on the appellate court to immediately resolve pending motions.

Andres said they are appealing the amount of damages given by the court.

“Sa hanay ng kliyente natin, 19 sila, ‘yung ina-appeal nila ‘yung amount ng danyos. Hinihingi nilang dagdagan kasi maliit siya kumpara doon sa karumal-dumal na nangyari,” Andres said.

(Among our clients, there are 19 of them, and what they are appealing is the amount of damages. They are asking that it be increased because it is small compared to the heinous events that happened.)

According to Andres, the families are experiencing severe trauma.

“Inip na inip na po ang mga biktima po ng Maguindanao massacre. Grabe na po ang trauma na kanilang tinitiis po,” he said.

(The victims of the Maguindanao massacre are extremely anxious. The trauma they endure is already overwhelming.)

On Nov. 23, 2009, 58 people – including 32 journalists and media workers – were killed in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.—AOL, GMA Integrated News