BACOLOD City – Journalists and media workers here continued to call for justice for the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre, which marked its 10th year on Saturday.
In a statement read by Negros Press Club (NPC) president Chrysee Samillano, during the commemoration rites held on Friday afternoon, media groups urged the government to bring the perpetrators to justice as they asked colleagues and the public to be vigilant in the quest for “true justice.”
“The next few weeks will be critical as the promulgation of judgment is expected to be handed down by Dec. 20,” the statement read.
In the afternoon, community journalists gathered for a short program at the NPC office and then lighted candles at the Marker of the Fallen Journalists located at the Bacolod Public Plaza, just across the street.
They were joined by Andrea Jayme, sister of lawyer Concepcion “Connie” Jayme-Brizuela, one of those who died in the gruesome murder of 58 people on Nov. 23, 2009.
The Jayme family, who hails from Bacolod, also appealed for justice for their slain kin. “One decade is a long wait,” Jayme said.
Of the 58 killed, 32 were journalists and media workers. They were on their way to the Commission on Elections office to witness the filing of the candidacy of then Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu for the 2010 gubernatorial race. Jayme-Brizuela had served as legal counsel for Mangudadatu.
Their vehicles were flagged and they were killed by gunmen in Ampatuan town.
Prosecutors filed multiple murder cases against Datu Andal Ampatuan, the principal accused in the case, and 196 co-accused.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court announced that it has granted the request of the judge handling the Maguindanao massacre case for more time to come up with a decision.
Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said the court considered the huge volume of evidence and parties in the case in giving a 30-day extension to Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes.
Given the extension, the Quezon City court has until December 20 to decide the case.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has expressed optimism that the court would rule in favor of the families of the victims of the massacre.
“We expect that justice will ultimately
prevail for the victims and their families,” Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, co-chairperson of the PTFoMS, said
in an earlier statement. (With a
report from PNA/PN)
