Progressive media groups and campus journalists commemorate the 14th year of the Ampatuan massacre at the University of the Philippines, College of Mass Communication.
“We take note of the administration’s commitment, communicated through the OPS, that the government will not forget this heinous crime and hope, along with the families, that full justice will not take another 13 years.”
Journalists and families and supporters of the victims of the Ampatuan massacre commemorated the 12th year since the single deadliest attack on the media, saying that they remain vigilant as they continue to seek justice.
Under the Duterte administration, human rights group Karapatan said the climate of impunity that has made this massacre possible has “visibly intensified,” particularly as the attacks against journalists continue unabated.
The mural was instantly taken by the police when the members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and Altermidya – People’s Alternative Media Network had just unloaded it from the vehicle. There was no explanation whatsoever as to why the mural was confiscated. By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA –…
“I need justice for my dad. ‘Pag di kumpleto numero, ‘di kumpleto hustisya.”
“This serves as a crack to the impunity in the killings of journalists.”
“Our primary demand is the conviction of the Ampatuans. We hope all those involved in the killing of our loved ones would be declared guilty.”
A decade has indeed passed but the conditions that led to the Ampatuan massacre remain: political dynasties and patronage are still alive, paramilitary groups have not been dismantled, and the Ampatuans’ collusion with the administration — Arroyo then and Duterte now — still persists.
“We expect nothing less than a conviction especially those directly responsible and involved in the killings. Otherwise, the mockery of justice and the culture of impunity will continue to reign and worsen.”
By DEE AYROSO