Philippines, still no justice for the victims of "the worst political massacre" ever
Manila (AsiaNews) - Five years after the massacre, there is still no justice for the victims and family members of what has been dubbed "the worst political massacre" in the history of the Philippines.
No one has been charged with the murder of 58 people and the masterminds behind the attack still roam free among the ranks of political powers and institutions. At present there are nine defendants in the dock, accused of having materially carried out the massacre. However, there increasing fears of an endless process that will continue for many years and will end with a stalemate.
Meanwhile, witnesses are being targeted, with intimidation or killings. Noemi
Parcon, the wife of one of the 32
journalists killed, said that "often
we [the family] feel
desperate, because there has been no
progress," and adds: "We'd be happy even if
only the principals are convicted".
The Archbishop of Manila,
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle spoke out against
the cronyism, corruption and the
ganglia of criminal
power "which are born in the
family", during the International
Symposium organized by AsiaNews November 18 last. The cardinal denounced
the "endemic corruption" that characterizes the
country, which "begins at
home" and is justified because
"with the help" that is
offered in its name. A rooted practice, added the
cardinal, who must be fought and eliminated.
The massacre of Maguindanao, on 23 November 2009, triggered a wave of outrage and condemnation across the country. Some one hundred people attacked the election convoy of Esmael Mangudadatu's family who, along with a group of journalists, were visiting some areas of the province to promote his candidacy for governor. 57 people died in the assault - including at least 30 journalists or members of the media - in what is considered "the worst case of political violence" in the history of the archipelago.
The massacre of Maguindanao, on 23 November 2009, triggered a wave of outrage and condemnation across the country. Some one hundred people attacked the election convoy of Esmael Mangudadatu's family who, along with a group of journalists, were visiting some areas of the province to promote his candidacy for governor. 57 people died in the assault - including at least 30 journalists or members of the media - in what is considered "the worst case of political violence" in the history of the archipelago.
Behind the massacre is the shadow of the Ampatuan family,
long time rulers in the poor southern province of the Philippines, thanks to the political alliance in Manila with then President
Gloria Arroyo.
They are believed to have masterminded the attack
to eliminate their rivals ahead of the vote, exploiting a private militia, provided by the government
to fight the Muslim separatist rebels.
The courts have indicted several members of the Ampatuan clan: Andal Ampatuan Jr., the
former governor father, an uncle and three brothers, along with more than a
hundred police officers, soldiers and militia members who are in jail awaiting trial .
They deny the charges. However, there are still at least 79 people
at large, who have escaped trial.
In May 2010, elections
were held that voted in as
Governor Esmael Mangudadatu,
who lost his wife, some of the sisters
and other close relatives or supporters in the Maguindanao massacre.
Even activists, such as Human
Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a statement recalling the five years since the massacre. Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director
at Human Rights Watch, said that the
case is in a "legal
limbo"; repeated requests by the
defense "bail and challenge witnesses"
of the prosecution, he warns, "have
flooded the court"
and are likely to prolong the legal battle for
years, without ever reaching a
final verdict.
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