MAGUINDANAO — More than a hundred families of victims and journalists travelled in a convoy of at least 13 vehicles going towards the hills of Sitio Masalay in Barangay Salman last Sunday.
A mass was offered shortly after the convoy arrived on top of the hills where a multipurpose hall was constructed in 2010. The hall was just beside the site of the massacre that significantly placed the Philippines on the map of the most dangerous countries for journalists.
Among the crowd was eight-year-old Princess Jane Caniban who is as old as the day her father was murdered along with 57 other people, 31 of whom were media workers.
On that day, Nov. 23, 2009, she became among the orphans of journalists who were killed in what was touted as the single deadliest attack against journalists in Philippine history.
“Pa andito na po ako pa, kasi namimiss po kita pa,” Princess uttered as she looks at her dad’s marker. In her hands were candles and flowers.
Virgie Caniban’s eyes welled with tears as she observed that moment. “She only got to know him in photos and in stories that I tell about him.”
Princess’ grandmother, 70-year-old Teresita Caniban, took care of her since she was young.
“She was eight months old when her dad died,” said Teresita, who was accompanied by her husband Leonardo, 65.
John Caniban was the news bureau chief of Sultan Kudarat Gazette and writer of Periodico Ini from Sultan Kudarat. He was 30 years old.
Remembering
the massacre
On the day of the massacre, the journalists were covering the filing of the certificate of candidacy of then gubernatorial aspirant, Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu to challenge Datu Unsay town mayor, Andal Ampatuan Jr.
The younger Ampatuan is the son of former governor of Maguindanao, Andal Ampatuan, Sr. Mangudadatu won as governor in 2010.
Justice for the victims’ families have been elusive. No conviction has been made for the past 8 years.
But Teresita still hopes that the case that has dragged on for almost a decade would soon be over. (davaotoday.com)
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