The families of journalists who were killed in the November 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre continue to seek justice 15 years since the country’s worst incident of election-related violence happened in Ampatuan town.

Some families of slain journalists visited the massacre site in Barangay Salman on Sunday, November 17, 2024, to hold a Mass and light candles.

It can be recalled that 58 people were killed, 32 of whom were members of the media, who accompanied the relatives and supporters of Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu on their way to file the latter’s certificate of candidacy for governor.

The members of the convoy were stopped at a checkpoint and were reportedly forced up into the hills of Sitio Masalay, shot using high-powered firearms, and buried in shallow graves using a backhoe.

The family of Rosell Morales, one of the journalists killed, said they have yet to get justice for the breadwinner of their family.

“Kung kumustahin mi magpamilya dili mi okay kay naga-longing gihapon mi sa hustisya nga kinahanglan namo nga makuha. Ug karon naga demand mi sa gobyerno nga ihatag na ang compensation kay 15 years na ang milabay,” Morales’ relative, Roly, said.

According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), 44 suspects of the massacre have been convicted in 2022 while 88 remain at large.

“Well as of now wala gihapon mi update sa kaso, so uban ang abogado sa mga victim. So karon consistent ang campaign sa NUJP, tabangan ang mga biktima, pamilya  sa Ampatuan massacre,” Zoraida Eva Lim Mustaril, member of the board of directors of NUJP, said.

Meanwhile, authorities have implemented tight security during the activity.

“We conducted ocular inspection two days prior dito sa massacre site , then we deploy for  security, 20 personnels, 1 squad for the security convoy na magse-secure,” 90IB, 6ID Commander, 1st Lt. Mark Joed de Guzman, said.