DAVAO City — The families of victims of the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre felt offended and dismayed after learning that the court allowed former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) Zaldy Ampatuan to attend his eldest daughter’s wedding.
In a phone interview with Emily Lopez of Justice Now Movement, a group of families of the media victims, said they are offended with the recent court decision.
As the families asked the court for a speedy trial, Lopez said it instead prioritised the personal interest of the suspect which she branded to be “unfair.”
“We consider it a slap to our face and a clear betrayal of the court to us who seek justice for a long time,” Lopez said, adding the court should work to hasten the investigation so that perpetrators will be sent behind bars.
Ampatuan was identified to be one of the individuals who masterminded the infamous Maguindanao massacre in 2009. The incident is the single deadliest media killing which claimed the lives of 58 people, most of whom were journalists.
On the evening of Aug. 21, video and photos of Ampatuan was posted on Facebook by Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali with caption: “Alhamdulillah with my former Boss Former RG Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan during the wedding ceremony of his eldest daughter Bai Nur Aila.”
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines also expressed concern after Ampatuan was allowed to leave detention to attend a social event on Tuesday. (davaotoday.com)
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