Maguindanao massacre kin pin hopes on Roque

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — After the appointment of human rights lawyer Harry Roque as presidential spokesperson, relatives of journalists who were killed in the infamous Maguindanao massacre of 2009 expressed hope that he could help expedite the resolution of the case.

This was pointed out by Monette Salaysay, wife of Nap Salaysay, who was one of the 32 media workers killed in the massacre in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao on November 23, 2009.

She said Roque, who stood as one of the legal counsels for the relatives of the slain journalists, could ask President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to “expedite the resolution of the case and give justice to the families of the victims.”

Salaysay recalled that Roque, in his capacity as Kabayan party-list representative, had even promised them that he would help arrange an audience with Duterte on November 23, to mark the eighth year of the infamous Maguindanao massacre.

Salaysay’s disclosure came even as she said that many of the relatives of the slain journalists were still experiencing post traumatic syndrome while in the process of seeking justice for the gruesome killing of the victims.

Salaysay said she and her three children have not yet recovered from the trauma they had experienced following the killing of Nap, a radio broadcaster in Davao City.

“It was very sad that eight years after the incident, we’re still longing for justice,” said Salaysay, who works as a midwife at the Cotabato regional hospital in Cotabato City.

At least 58 people including 32 journalists were allegedly executed by armed men led by Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. who intercepted the victims on their convoy along the national highway in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Among those killed were relatives of now-Maguindanao Governor Toto Mangudadatu, including his wife, Eden.

The government has indicted some 200 suspects in the killing, including the late Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and sons, Andal Jr. and former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan.