PTFoMS celebrates conviction of Maguindanao Massacre perpetrators

FILE: Maguindanao massacre site in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao (PCOO photo)

MANILA— The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) on Thursday welcomed the conviction of the principal suspects in the Maguindanao massacre, dubbed as the world’s worst killings of journalists in history where at least 32 media workers were murdered.

Undersecretary Jose Joel Sy Egco, PTFoMs executive director, said the Quezon City court’s verdict is “a cause for celebration for those who value press freedom, freedom of expression and human rights.

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Egco called on Filipinos “to remember that of the 58 people who were killed, 32 were media workers” even as he noted that the case has come to be “widely regarded as the deadliest single-day attack on journalists in the world, as well as the worst election-related case of violence in recent Philippine history”.

He said: “there is no way in objective terms can anyone claim that there is a ’culture of impunity’ in this country.

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“Let me reiterate that the real heroes in this are the families of the 58 victims, the prosecution witnesses, the government and private prosecutors,” he added.

In a previous statement, Egco predicted that it will take “the political will of a Duterte Administration to finally see this through its logical conclusion” and it will be considered “a part of the Duterte Legacy”.

On Thursday, more than 10 years since the massacre, the principal suspects in the case, including Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. alias ‘Unsay’, were found guilty by Branch 221 Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said he initially “predicted that this is the only way the judgment should go”

“As I’ve said before, criminals who murder or in any way endanger journalists in this part of the world will not go unpunished. This is justice. It was admittedly a slow process but we have to go through it as warranted by our democratic system,” said Andanar, also PTFoMS co-chairperson.

On Nov. 23, 2009, at least 58 were killed in Maguindanao province while en route to Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy of then Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu. The victims included 32 media workers, six passersby, two lawyers, and the wife and sisters of Mangudadatu.

The media workers murdered were the following:

1. Alejandro Reblando
2. Andres Teodoro
3. Arturo Betia
4. Benjie Adolfo
5. Bienvenido Legarte Jr.
6. Daniel Tiamson
7. Ernesto Maravilla
8. Fernando Razon
9. Francisco Subang
10. Gina dela Cruz
11. Hannibal Cachuela
12. Henry Araneta
13. Jepon Cadagdagon
14. Jhoy Duhay
15. Joel Parcon
16. John Caniban
17. Jolito Evardo
18. Lea Dalmacio
19. Lindo Lupogan
20. Marife Montaño
21. Marites Cablitas
22. Mark Gilbert Arriola
23. Napoleon Salaysay
24. Noel Decina
25. Rey Merisco
26. Reynaldo Momay
27. Romeo Jimmy Cabillo
28. Ronie Perante
29. Rosell Morales
30. Rubello Bataluna
31. Santos Gatchalian
32. Victor Nuñez

Meanwhile, the following were among those killed :

Mangudadatu clan

33. Genalin Tiamzon Mangudadatu
34. Eden Gaguil Mangudadatu
35. Farinah Mangudadatu Hassan
36. Rowena Ante Mangudadatu
37. Surayyda Gaguil Bernan
38. Wahida Ali Kalim
39. Mamotabai Mangudadatu
40. Raida Abdul Sapalon
41. Faridah Sabdullah Gaguil

Supporters

42. Pinky Balayman
43. Lailani Balayman
44. Eugene Demillo Pamansag
45. Abdillah Ayada
46. Rahima Palawan
47. Meriam Calimbol

Lawyers

48. Concepcion Jayme-Brizuela
49. Cynthia Oquendo-Ayon
50. Catalino Oquendo Jr.

Van Drivers

51. Norton Edza Ebus
52. Razul Daud Bulilo

Passersby

53. Eduardo Lechonsito
54. Cecille Lechonsito
55. Mercy Palabrica
56. Daryll delos Reyes
57. Wilhelm Palabrica
58. Anthony Ridao