Guilty verdict a monumental step in the unfinished fight for justice

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines welcomes the conviction of key Ampatuan clan members and several others for the November 23, 2009 massacre.

This is long overdue but their guilt has become official.

The decision of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court is not yet final until the Supreme Court rules so.

But this is a significant and landmark step in proving the guilt of the Ampatuan clan members and their minions in the massacre, the worst single attack against journalists in the world and the worst single election-related violence in the country.

We laud the families of the 58 victims for never giving up and succumbing to threats, bribes and harassment and instead stood their ground in fighting for justice for their loved ones.

The convictions and indemnification can never bring back the lives of the victims and erase the pain of the families who lost their loved ones.

But these, in some way, alleviate the suffering that they have endured for the past 10 years.

We lament that 55 of the accused including some key Ampatuan clan members were acquitted. At least 80 of those accused also remain at large.

We believe they are guilty in the death of Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay Jr. whose remains have still not been found.

Justice is not yet complete for Bebot and until the last of those responsible with blood in their hands are made accountable.

The conviction of the key accused is also due to the unity and steadfastness of Filipino media workers and media groups in the country and abroad who have sustained the campaign and efforts for the past 10 years to make sure that the massacre will not be forgotten and that justice will be achieve no matter how long and hard it takes.

We must soldier on until the last of those responsible are behind bars.

 

NUJP

National Directorate

December 19, 2019