As Maguindanao massacre marks 15 years, journalists visit site to honor victims

Fifteen years later, the victims’ families continue to seek justice. In 2022, 44 suspects were convicted and 88 remain at large.

DAVAO, Philippines — Journalists from the Visayas region paid tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack. Ampatuan massacre in the now defunct Maguindanao province on Thursday, November 21, two days before the 15th anniversary of the tragedy.

A total of 24 journalists gathered at the site of the massacre in Barangay Salman, Maguindanao del Sur, lit candles and offered prayers for the 58 victims, including 32 journalists killed on November 23, 2009.

The journalists were part of the Mindanao Institute of Journalism’s “Inside BARMM: A Walk Through the Bangsamoro Region” event. Other representatives include journalists from MindaNews, Media Impact Philippines and International Media Support.

Fifteen years later, the victims’ families continue to seek justice. In 2022, 44 suspects were convicted and 88 remain at large.

Jun Aguirre of Boracay Island News Network in Aklan prayed for eternal peace for the victims, particularly lawyer Cynthia Oquendo Ayon and Catalino Oquendo of Aklan.

With the 2025 midterm elections looming, Aguirre called on fellow journalists to be more vigilant when covering election-related issues in conflict zones.

Gina Dean of Northwestern Samar State University in Calbayog, Samar, stressed the need for journalists to prioritize safety and security when reporting.

“I hope this situation never happens again. It is disappointing that justice has not yet been served and I hope people do not forget this atrocity,” she added.

MyTV Cebu’s Kaiser Ian Fuentes called for “long overdue justice” for the victims and the families they left behind.

“I was only 10 years old when this incident happened, and now that I am 25, as a full-time journalist, I know that we still face injustice, and I hope that there will be no more violence, although we are just doing our job.” , he added.

Other participants reflected on the importance of press freedom and pledged to continue to uphold the values ​​of truth and integrity in journalism.

The 58 victims were part of a convoy on their way to witness Esmael Mangudadatu file his certificate of candidacy for governor of Maguindanao.

Their convoy was stopped at a checkpoint and the victims were herded into the hills of Sitio Masalaya, shot with high-powered firearms and buried in shallow graves using a backhoe. – with reporting by Jazmine Bonifacio/Rappler.com