The Philippine authorities are running out of time to ensure that their
response to the Maguindanao massacre does not become a mockery of justice,
Amnesty International said on the fifth anniversary of what is often called the
world’s largest-ever single attack on journalists.
On 23 November 2009, 58 people, including 32 journalists and other media
workers, were killed when an election convoy came under attack by more than 100
armed men, allegedly including members of the police and the military. The
convoy had been travelling in the southern province of Maguindanao, through the
territory of the powerful Ampatuan clan.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. Five years after the Maguindanao
massacre, the cases are still inching through the Philippine court system and
not a single person has been held to account,” said Hazel Galang-Folli, Amnesty
International’s Philippines Researcher.
Almost half the 197 suspects for whom arrest warrants have been issued
since the massacre remain at large. Meanwhile, no prosecution has been
concluded, nor has any perpetrator been convicted.
Trials in the civil and criminal cases are ongoing at a Quezon City
Regional Trial Court. However, there have been several delays and setbacks and
most of the court proceedings have been bail hearings. The families of the
victims have also called on the National Police Commission to dismiss police
officers allegedly involved in the assault, but it remains to be seen how these
demands will be dealt with.
Witnesses to the massacre and their families have faced attacks and
killings since the massacre, highlighting a lack of government protection. Just
this week yet another prospective witness was killed in an ambush in
Maguindanao province. At least eight witnesses and their family members have
been killed in such attacks since November 2009. No one is known to have been
held accountable for these killings either.
“Each killing of a witness creates a fresh injustice while reducing the
chances of justice being served for the families of the victims of this
horrific massacre. This is particularly true in a country like the Philippines
where court cases have traditionally relied heavily on witness testimony,” said
Hazel Galang-Folli.
“The Philippine authorities must get their act together and ensure that
accountability for this horrific massacre is given high priority and enough
resources.”
Dennis Sakal and Butch Saudagal, both of whom were expected to testify
against the primary suspects in the massacre were gunned down by unidentified
men in Maguindanao on 18 November 2014, killing the former.
Alijol Ampatuan, who according to prosecutors was willing to identify
perpetrators, was shot at close range in February 2012. Esmail Amil Enog, who
testified in court that he had been a driver for gunmen implicated in the
massacre, was found chain-sawed into pieces after disappearing in May 2012.
Region Asia And The Pacific
For further information, contact International Press
Office »
http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/philippines-five-years-justice-maguindanao-massacre-can-t-wait-2014-11-23
For more information please read: www.amnesty.org maguindanao massacre
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