It has been one year since the Philippines experiences the worst political violence in its history. Fifty eight people were massacred in the southern part of the country and more than half of them were journalists. Reporter Sunshine de Leon tells us that attempts to prosecute those responsible have been dragging.
On November 23rd, 2009, 58 people traveling in a convoy to register a political candidate were ambushed and massacred. The main suspect was a political rival, Andal Ampatuan Jr. He’s the son of a powerful clan leader in the south. And he’s accused of ordering his private militia to carry out the killings.
He is one of the 197 people charged in the crime. But only about half are in custody. And the trial itself is dragging on.
Nenen Momay- Castillo is the daughter of one of the victims. She and other relatives take turns flying to Manila to attend the hearings. Until now, they have been held on Wednesdays.
She says for now, she is just listening and watching. �The importance of our presence there was to show the perpetrators that we are interested in this fight.� Her father, Reynaldo Momay, was among the dead, but his body was never found. So he isn’t part of the official count of 57 victims. Nenen says it should be 58.
To listen to the whole story, click here.
Categories: Others, PRI The World
SUNSHINE LICHAUCO DE LEON 