Media groups including the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Philippine Press Institute, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and ABS-CBN and GMA7 networks marked the 1000th day since the Ampatuan Massacre on Sunday, August 19, with a vigil at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City from 4pm Sunday August 19 to 9am Monday August 20.
The 1000th day commemoration pays tribute to the fallen victims of the brutal massacre of 58 civilians including 32 journalists on November 23, 2009. The families of the massacre victims read personal messages. Artists, singers, poets, actors, activists, journalists and civil society groups were among those sharing songs and stories about injustice and impunity under the Aquino government.
The Philippines is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. The continuing killings of journalists, on-going delays in the Ampatuan trial and the prolonged the refusal of Congress to pass the Freedom of Information Law all represent the dire state of press freedom in the country. Of the 196 suspects including officials, police and militiamen, only 76 have been arraigned.
“Almost three years after the worst atrocity ever committed against media workers, the victims’ families, colleagues and press freedom defenders eagerly await justice for those brutally murdered in the massacre,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
“We stand in solidarity with press freedom groups in the Philippines as they commemorate 1000 days since the Ampatuan massacre and continue in their struggle from press freedom and an end to impunity.”
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