Massacre victims’ kin forgive Ampatuan Sr. but cry for justice continues 

Andal Ampatuan Sr (Screenshot from GMA News footage)

COTABATO CITY — The daughter of a Maguindanao massacre victim received the news of Andal Ampatuan Sr.’s demise with mixed feelings.

Maria Reynafe Momay-Castillo, daughter of photojournalist Reynaldo Momay, said she could hardly understand her feelings.

“I don’t want to say I am happy he died but justice has not been served,” Momay-Castillo, said in a phone interview.

“But I have forgiven him already. How I wished he sought forgiveness for the sins he committed,” Momay-Castillo said of Andal Sr. who was the alleged mastermind of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

Momay-Castillo’s father, photojournalist Reynaldo Momay was the 58th massacre victim. His remains had not been recovered but his false denture was retrieved at the massacre site by PNP scene of the crime operatives.

“I will continue to hope that the remains of my father will be recovered so we can give him decent burial,” Momay-Castillo said.

She was on a short vacation in Gen. Santos City after her mother, Femy, died on June 16.

She returned to the U.S. today.

Former Cotabato City Councilor Marino Ridao Sr, father of Anthony, a government employee and one of the massacre victims, said he has forgiven Andal Sr. even before he died.

“Deep in my heart I have already forgiven him even before he died,” Ridao said in between sobs.

“I believed it is only in forgiving that we are forgiven,” said Ridao, an active member of Knight of Columbus.

Anthony was driving his Toyota Tamaraw on his way to Cotabato City tailing a convoy of vehicles when gunmen flagged down his car.

“While I have forgiven Andal Sr., our cry for justice continues, justice must be served,” Ridao said.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Manguadatu, who lost his wife Genalyn in the carnage, said he would have wanted Andal Sr. to ask forgiveness for the sins he had committed before he died.

Mangudadatu shut down proposals to give the former provincial governor burial honors.

“We will not oppose burial for him in Maguindanao, that is his right. But burial honors, no,” Mangudadatu said, adding the Ampatuan patriarch is not a hero who is entitled to burial honors.”