DAVAO CITY – Fifteen years after the Ampatuan massacre, 24 journalists from the Visayas visited the massacre site in Sitio Masalay, Maguindanao del Sur, to honor the victims of the tragic event on Thursday, Nov. 21.
The group participated in “Inside BARMM: A Walk Through Bangsamoro Moro,” an immersion program organized by the Mindanao Institute for Journalism. Journalists from MindaNews also joined the commemoration.
The participants offered prayers, reflections, candles, and flowers at the hilly site, calling for justice for the 58 victims who perished on November 23, 2009, in pre-election violence orchestrated by the Ampatuan family.
Among the victims were 32 journalists, making it the deadliest attack on media workers in history.
The journalists emphasized the need for continued legal action as some suspects remain at large. They also reflected on the pain and unresolved struggles endured by the families of the victims.
The massacre occurred during the filing of the certificate of candidacy (CoC) of Esmael Mangudadatu, who was challenging Andal Ampatuan Sr. for the gubernatorial post. Civilians unaffiliated with the convoy were also killed in the attack.
The event highlighted the ongoing fight for justice and press freedom, honoring the lives lost in one of the darkest chapters of Philippine history.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
