Children of the victims of the #AmpatuanMassacre perform a song at the massacre site in sitio Masalay, barangay Salman, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao, Nov. 17 to commemorate the 10th year of the single deadliest attack on journalists in recent history.
“The government and the state remain unbothered by the massacre, considering they were the victims of the agents of state itself.”
“If there would be no conviction, I’m sorry to say press freedom is dead.”
“It is our way of keeping the fight for justice alive, as well as condemning all violations of human rights. And hopefully, before all our candles run out, justice would be given to all victims.”
“We remember Ampatuan Massacre but we have to bring back the rage.”
“And while a closure to this tragedy is most welcome, we stress that it should not in any way detract from the State’s continued accountability for its continued failure to bring an end to the threats and attacks against journalists and to give justice to the more than 100 other victims of media killings since 1986.”
“…we stress that the crime of which Mr. Ampatuan is accused of is of such a heinous nature that the shock and outrage it stirred around the world forced then President Gloria Arroyo to move against the powerful clan that was among her staunchest allies.”
Former chief justice Reynato Puno says this is the “better time” to shift to a federal form of government. He didn’t say what he was comparing today with (a better time than when?). But he did claim that it’s because there’s enough public support to realize it. Puno didn’t say this because the public opinion…
Five journalists have been gunned down under the Duterte administration, bringing to 178 the total of media killings since 1986, the restoration of democratic institutions.
“We can only hope our fears about the possible adverse effects this development may have on the cause of justice for the 58 victims of the massacre, among them 32 colleagues, is unfounded,” the NUJP said.
“It’s been seven years that we have been dreaming of justice,” Arlene told journalists and press freedom advocates. “We hope you will not forget what happened to our loved ones.”