MANILA — Relatives of victims, journalists and press freedom advocates marked the sixth year of the of the Ampatuan Massacre with a protest march from Pureza street to Chino Roces (formerly Mendiola) bridge.

The Nov. 23, 2009 incident in barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao claimed the lives of 58 individuals, of whom 32 were journalists. Suspects to the carnage are members of the powerful Ampatuan clan.

Six years after, not one has been convicted of the crime. On the contrary, one of the primary suspects and scores of policemen implicated in the killings have been granted bail.

Under the Aquino administration, 31 journalists have been killed.

Photos and text by RONALYN V. OLEA

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