Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 24) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday urged the Justice Department to speed up the trial for the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.
Duterte said this as he met with relatives of the slain victims during the incident’s 8th anniversary, a Palace press release said.
Duterte promised the victims’ families that the administration would assist them amidst calls from relatives and concerned groups for justice for those killed in the massacre.
The meeting took place at the Music Room in Malacanang Palace. It was attended by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who had served as some of the victims’ lawyer before.
On the same day, Malacañang said the trial for the 2009 Maguindanao massacre may be resolved in four years.
READ: Palace: Maguindanao massacre case to be resolved by 2021
On November 21, victims of the massacre had already met with Aguirre.
“During the meeting, Sec. Aguirre promised that he would assist in seeing to it that there will be convictions in the case and that the prosecution of the case will be expedited,” a press release by Maguindanao 2nd district Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, brother of Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu said.
The trial started on January 5, 2010. As of 2017, of the 188 suspects, only 106 are undergoing trial.
The Maguindanao massacre took place 2009 in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.
Fifty-eight people, including 32 members of the media were killed in the incident.
Some 100 gunmen shot them as they joined a convoy to the Commission on Elections in Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy for then-Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu’s, who was planning to run for governor.
The massacre has been tagged as the “single deadliest event” for the press in its record, according to international press freedom organization, the Committee to Protect Journalists.
READ: Kin of Maguindanao massacre victims appeal to Duterte for justice
Journalists, family members commemorate massacre
Meanwhile, groups in Maguindanao and other parts of the Philippines continue to commemorate the tragedy.
This as no convictions have been made eight years after the killings.
In Maguindanao, victims’ kin gathered at the Maguindanao massacre’s shrine to commemorate the tragedy. They asked President Rodrigo Duterte to finally lay the case to rest.
READ: Kin of Maguindanao massacre victims appeal to Duterte for justice
In Bacolod, at least 50 members of the media, students, and representatives from a civic group marched around the Bacolod City Public Plaza and lit candles in front of the Marker of the Fallen Journalists.
Media personalities mostly wore black shirts bearing the message “Stop Killing Journalists.” They lit candles at the marker, and released eight white balloons into the air.
Renato Duran, president of the Negros Press Club said the club is one in seeking justice for those fallen journalists.
Nonoy Espina, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines director, also called for state accountability.
“Just as important as convicting those responsible for this most gruesome of crimes is the need for state accountability. Not only because the perpetrators of the massacre were state officials and agents, but also because it is the state’s obligation to protect the citizenry and ensure justice for all,” he said.
Meanwhile, NUJP-Pampanga also led media workers and journalism students in a candle lighting ceremony to commemorate the massacre’s 8th year anniversary.
The group called for justice for the victims and for an end to harassment of media workers.
According to NUJP Deputy Secretary-General Fred Villareal, the media as an institution is under attack by the Duterte administration.
NUJP-Pampanga said they would not be silenced and will continue to fight for freedom of expression and the press.
Angeles-based stringer Justine Dizon and Bacolod-based stringer Shiela Gelera contributed to this story.
