In commemoration of the fifth year of the Ampatuan massacre, journalists and advocates stage protest actions highlighting the call for justice and an end to impunity. Photos by Fred Dabu | Ronalyn V. Olea |National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (MANILA) Noel Godinez/ Northern Dispatch (BAGUIO CITY) Editing by Ronalyn V. Olea Music: Pahayagan…
“Deprive us not of justice.” – Edita Tiamzon, wife of UNTV cameraman Daniel Tiamzon
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“Our justices may look into the possibility of reviewing and revising the rules of court.” – Prima Quinsayas, lawyer of the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists
The Ampatuan Massacre is a key issue in the Filipino people’s struggle against the culture of impunity that has afflicted the country for so long. A decision favourable to the masterminds and killers will encourage more killings of and human rights violations against journalists, activists, and other sectors.
Members of the End Impunity Alliance, AlterMidya, a national network of alternative media outfits and the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication will hold a protest march around the university’s academic oval on Nov. 21.
“Aquino is wrong in saying that the killings are not work-related. These journalists were killed for their work, not because of a love triangle or any other reason.” – Luis Teodoro
“Rather than demonstrating the government’s sincerity in seeing the trial to a credible conclusion, the ban [on media coverage] provokes suspicions that concealing vital information from the public is in progress.” – Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists
“Our criminal justice system will be measured by how we faired [in this case], and if we don’t get the conviction of those guilty simply because of the mis-appreciation of the facts of the case, perhaps mismanagement of the prosecution of the case, or underestimating the defense, we have to answer not only to the families of the 58 massacre victims but to the Filipino people.”
“As military generals, those who murder and torture, get promoted and plunderers of the nation’s coffers receive special treatment in jail, the Aquino government is on full blast promoting impunity.” – Karapatan
“We are frustrated with the slow pace of the trial. It is disheartening that justice lies in the hands of those who are powerful, yet, they are not doing anything about it.” – CEGP-Ilocos Sur
“How long will the trial take? 10 years? 20 years? We are getting old.” – Maria Cipriana Gatchalian, 61, widow of journalist Santos P. Gatchalian Jr.
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