Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Robredo hopeful justice will be finally served in Maguindanao massacre case
Philippines
Robredo hopeful justice will be finally served in Maguindanao massacre case
Robredo hopeful justice will be finally served in Maguindanao massacre case
Published Dec 17, 2019 12:00 am
By Raymund Antonio
After 10 years without a single conviction, Vice President Leni Robredo is hopeful that justice will be finally served for the victims of the gruesome Maguindanao massacre.
Vice-President Leni Robredo (OVP / Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
Robredo said the release of the ruling on the decade-old case would not only give justice to the families left behind by 58 individuals, 32 of whom were media practitioners, but also to the society as well.
“Matutuldukan lang ito kapag ang pakiramdam natin iyong desisyon naaakma, iyong desisyon totoong nagbibigay ng hustisya hindi lang sa mga pamilya, pero sa lipunan,” Robredo, a human rights lawyer, said.
(This will only end if we feel it is the appropriate decision that truly serves justice not only to the victims’ families but to society.)
The lady official called the Maguindanao massacre in 2009 as a “dark chapter” in Philippine history. This has also been considered the single deadliest incident involving journalists in world history.
Members of the media joined the convoy for the filing of gubernatorial candidacy of then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu against rival Andal Ampatuan Jr.
Armed men ambushed the passengers and buried them in a mass grave using a government-owned backhoe. Multiple murders cases were filed against more than 100 suspects, including some members of the Ampatuan clan.
Of the 197 accused on the case, 101 people remain on detention, including Ampatuan Jr., and 80 people are still at large. The alleged mastermind, Andal Ampatuan Sr., died four years ago.
Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes will hand down the verdict on December 19, Thursday.
Robredo lamented the slow pace of justice for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre.
“Kasi lalong habang tumatagal iyong pagkuha ng hustisya, parang lalong nadadagdagan iyong sakit na binibigay sa naaapektuhan. So ito, finally, after 10 years magkakaroon na ng desisyon,” she said.
(Because while it takes long for justice to be served, it gives more pain to those affected. So finally, there will be a decision after 10 years.)
Vice-President Leni Robredo (OVP / Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
Robredo said the release of the ruling on the decade-old case would not only give justice to the families left behind by 58 individuals, 32 of whom were media practitioners, but also to the society as well.
“Matutuldukan lang ito kapag ang pakiramdam natin iyong desisyon naaakma, iyong desisyon totoong nagbibigay ng hustisya hindi lang sa mga pamilya, pero sa lipunan,” Robredo, a human rights lawyer, said.
(This will only end if we feel it is the appropriate decision that truly serves justice not only to the victims’ families but to society.)
The lady official called the Maguindanao massacre in 2009 as a “dark chapter” in Philippine history. This has also been considered the single deadliest incident involving journalists in world history.
Members of the media joined the convoy for the filing of gubernatorial candidacy of then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu against rival Andal Ampatuan Jr.
Armed men ambushed the passengers and buried them in a mass grave using a government-owned backhoe. Multiple murders cases were filed against more than 100 suspects, including some members of the Ampatuan clan.
Of the 197 accused on the case, 101 people remain on detention, including Ampatuan Jr., and 80 people are still at large. The alleged mastermind, Andal Ampatuan Sr., died four years ago.
Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes will hand down the verdict on December 19, Thursday.
Robredo lamented the slow pace of justice for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre.
“Kasi lalong habang tumatagal iyong pagkuha ng hustisya, parang lalong nadadagdagan iyong sakit na binibigay sa naaapektuhan. So ito, finally, after 10 years magkakaroon na ng desisyon,” she said.
(Because while it takes long for justice to be served, it gives more pain to those affected. So finally, there will be a decision after 10 years.)