Gov’t asked to speed up Ampatuan massacre arrests

The National Press Club of the Philippines urged government authorities to intensify their campaign for the arrest of all those involved in the 2009 Ampatuan massacre of 58 persons, including 32 journalists, in Maguindanao noting some 83 of the perpetuators are still at large.

NPC president Lydia Bueno made the statement this Thursday, (23 November 2023) after a holy Mass and a candle lighting ceremony at the shrine of massacre victims during the 14th commemoration of the Ampatuan massacre held at the NPC ground, Magallanes Drive, Intramuros Manila.

Bueno said, while the NPC lauded the conviction of the 44 killers, justice seems not properly served after 14 years since a huge number of people involved in the killings are still free.

The masterminds of the crime, Andal Ampatuan Jr., and brother Zaldy Ampatuan Jr., were sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in December 2019.

Since 2009, the NPC has been active in demanding justice for the slain journalists.

Bueno said that this year, aside from a holy Mass and candle lighting, a photo exhibit was held on the 4th floor of the NPC Building featuring the most memorable NPC activities in commemorating the Ampatuan massacre.

NPC secretary/auditor Leonel Abasola, on the other hand, said that financial support were given to the slain relatives since 2010 through the initiatives of then NPC president Benny Antiporda.

He added that, to date, the NPC still support a son of the victim now on the 4th year as Engineering student.