MANILA, Nov. 22 (PNA) — The Aquino government reiterated its commitment for institutional reforms to hasten the delivery of justice for those who lost their lives in the “2009 Maguindanao massacre,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. said.
“We join the Filipino people in affirming our solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives in the Maguindanao massacre on Nov. 23, 2009. We are determined to erase the stigma of the culture of impunity that led to this heinous crime,” Coloma said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
Fifty-eight people, including 32 media practitioners, died in the incident which is said to be the Philippines’ worst political massacre. The media practitioners were part of a convoy led by Genalyn Mangudadatu, the wife of then Buluan vice mayor and now Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu.
“The Philippine National Police has been directed to intensify efforts to arrest some 88 suspects still at large,” Coloma said
The Department of Justice is undertaking a continuing effort to strengthen its investigative and prosecutorial arms, he said.
“We join the advocates for institutional reforms including amendments to the Rules of Court that will hasten the delivery of justice. We will work with Congress to prioritize action on the enactment of the proposed whistleblower bill and amendments to strengthen the witness protection law,” he added.
A total of 197 people, including members of the Ampatuan clan, were initially charged for the incident. (PNA)