Pres. Duterte meets with kin of Maguindanao massacre victims

President Rodrigo Duterte and United States President Donald Trump are set to meet each other for the first time during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam. (ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA— President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, November 23, met with the kin of the Maguindanao massacre victims at the Music Room of the Malacañang Palace.

Together with the Chief Executive are Department of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr, who had previously served as the lawyer of the victims in the Maguindanao massacre case.

During the meeting, President Duterte vowed to extend his administration’s assistance to the families of the victims. At the same time, the President urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a speedy trial.

November 23 marks the 8th anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre, wherein 58 individuals, including 32 members of the media, were killed in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao.

It will be recalled that in October 2016, President Duterte signed Administrative Order (AO) No.

1 creating the Presidential Task Force on Violations of the Right to Life, Liberty and Security of the Members of the Media.