RIGHTS advocates and journalist groups commemorated the 15th anniversary of the Ampatuan Massacre on Saturday, November 23, reiterating demands for full justice for the 58 victims, including 32 journalists, in what remains the deadliest single attack on media workers globally.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) emphasized the urgency of apprehending 88 suspects still at large.
“Partial justice is not enough,” NUJP Cagayan de Oro Chapter said in a statement. “The fight continues to hold all perpetrators accountable.”
Although 44 individuals, including key masterminds from the Ampatuan political clan, were convicted in 2019, families of the victims said the lack of arrests for other suspects and delays in compensation highlight lingering impunity.
“The victims’ families have waited too long. We call on the government to act decisively,” said Atty. Antonio Azarcon, UPLM chairperson.
Civil society groups linked the unresolved case to broader threats against journalists and activists in the Philippines, citing harassment, red-tagging, and violence. Advocacy groups also warned of escalating risks ahead of the 2025 elections.
“The massacre was not just an attack on individuals but on press freedom itself. We remain committed to seeking justice and exposing impunity,” said Brell Lacerna, spokesperson for the College Editors Guild of the Philippines.
Rights advocates urged the Marcos Jr. administration to expedite arrests and prosecution, pass stronger anti-impunity laws, and ensure safe conditions for journalists.
