Joy, sorrow for children, kin after Maguindanao massacre verdict

Some children and loved ones of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre expressed mixed feelings in General Santos City over the court's verdict on the over 100 accused in the worst case of election-related violence and a brutal attack against the media in the Philippines.

Some of them expressed their disappointments over the acquittal of Sajid Islam Ampatuan, who is the youngest brother of the Ampatuans, and now mayor of the Shariff Saydona Mustapha municipality in Maguindanao, according to a Balitanghali report by Chino Gaston.

Majority of the victims' relatives, however, were joyous over the conviction of some of the Ampatuan clan members, who were sentenced to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years of imprisonment, without parole.

"Talagang mahirap 'yung 10 taon na 'yun dahil ang tagal noon eh, ilang years 'yun na tiniis na walang conviction pa. Today, talagang happy na ako... dahil halos lahat silang principal [accused] ang nagawan ng conviction," said Caren Araneta, wife of a slain journalist.

Those who shared the grief of losing their loved ones hugged each other when the long-awaited verdict was read.

"Noong narinig namin na na-convict po sila, nagyakapan po kaming dalawa umiyak kami na hindi namin maintindihan dahil sa taon na hirap na dinanas namin mula sa umpisa," Catherine Nunez said as she referred to fellow complainant Editha Tiamzon.

"Sa wakas nakuha na namin ang hustisya," she added.

Both Nunez and Tiamzon lost family members who worked for UNTV.

Gerjin Dela Cruz-Malabanan, daughter of another local journalist who was killed, was not able to hold back her tears of joy.

"Sa mga kapatid ko po at mga kapamilya ko sa GenSan, heto na may hustisya na tayo kahit hindi lahat na-convict, at least yung mga principal na may kasalanan na-convict na sila," she said.

Closure

Maguindanao Representative Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu was also satisfied with the result and expressed gratefulness to all who supported their cause.

"Salamat sa lahat ng media na tumutok, salamat kay Mayor Digong, salamat sa Panginoon at sa lahat ng mga biktimang hindi sumuko," he said.

The mother of Mangudadatu’s wife Genalyn, Nenita Tiamson, broke out in tears upon hearing the conviction.

“Masaya pero nalulungkot pa rin. Malungkot, siyempre walang kabayaran ang buhay ng anak ko, masakit pa rin. Hinahanap-hanap ko pa rin ‘yung anak ko,” she said on Jun Veneracion’s 24 Oras report.

Genalyn was among the massacre victims who were set to file her husband’s certificate of candidacy to challenge the Ampatuans’ hold over Maguindanao.

The children of the Mangudadatus, who were merely teenagers in 2009, said the incident haunts them to this day.

“Kung nandito siya (Genalyn), sasabihin ko na sana makapagpahinga na siya na ‘yung hustisya na matagal nang inaantay, naibigay na,” their daughter Princess Grace said.

Lawyer Nena Santos, legal counsel of Mangudadatu, said the court's conviction on Thursday will significantly help in putting to justice those accused who still remain at large.

Meanwhile, the lawyer of Akmad "Tato" Ampatuan Sr. who was acquitted in the murder cases, also said that the decision was just.

"Justice was done," defense lawyer Artemio Cana Sr. told reporters.

Asked whether he has finally found closure, Mangudadatu said: "Matagal pa ito kasi may Court of Appeals, may Supreme Court at may 50 na second phase at may mga at-large pang 81."

Lawyer Harry Roque, one of the private prosecutors, however, lamented that the convicts had been acquitted in one count of murder--that of journalist Reynaldo "Bebot" Momay whose remains has yet to be found.

"Nag-manifest po tayo na tayo ay mag-aapela sa civil aspect ng case na ito," Roque said, noting that Momay's dentures had been recovered from the massacre site.

Ampatuans convicted

Among the Ampatuan clan members convicted were former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan, Anwar Ampatuan Sr., Anwar "Ipi" Ampatuan Jr., and Anwar Sajid "Ulo" Ampatuan. They were judged guilty for 57 counts of murder.

Along with Manny, Mohades, and Misuari Ampatuan, several police officers and other personalities, they were sentenced to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years of imprisonment, without parole.

Fourteen police officers and Bong Andal, who operated the backhoe in the infamous massacre, were sentenced to six to 10 years in prison after they were found to have acted as accessories to the crime.

Four Ampatuans — Akmad alias "Tato," Sajid Islam, Jonathan, Jimmy— along with dozens of other individuals were meanwhile acquitted on the ground of reasonable doubt; three were acquitted for the prosecution's "absolute" failure to prove their guilt. They were ordered released from jail unless they are being detained for other lawful causes.

The relatives, however, expressed worries that the lives of those who fought for justice for 10 years to convict the powerful clan of Ampatuans and some police personnel could be in danger.

Relatives of the victims have sought for help, especially the orphaned minors of the Maguindanao massacre, who said it is difficult to live without their parents.

They added they were afraid of the renewed influence of the Ampatuans in public office, given that Sajid Ampatuan has already run twice for mayor for Shariff Aguak, and won in the Shariff Saydona Mustapha municipality.

Meanwhile, the daughter of the 58th massacre victim, photojournalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay, lamented the acquittal of the accused her father’s case.

“When I heard that number, 57, nag-black out na po ako. I felt really bad kasi matagal kong pinaglaban ‘yung numerong ‘yun, ‘yung 58 na number na ‘yun and to this day ine-expect ko na babasahin ‘yung 58, ang binasa, 57 pa rin,” she said on 24 Oras.

The suspects in Momay’s death were acquitted due to reasonable doubt as his body has not been found.

The family’s lawyer, Harry Roque Jr., said they will appeal the ruling. — with Jamil Santos, Julia Mari Ornedo/RSJ/MDM, GMA News