Long wait for justice in RP’s worst massacre
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A Muslim clan accused of the Philippines’ worst political massacre is intimidating and attempting to bribe witnesses while dragging out court proceedings, rights groups and victims’ relatives say.
Almost 12 months since the Ampatuan family allegedly orchestrated the murders of 57 persons to stamp out a political rival’s electoral challenge, family members of those killed fear the trial could drag on for years.
“In my heart I want to forgive, but we need to have justice served. They have to pay for what they did to us,” said Editha Tiamzon, widow of Daniel Tiamzon, one of four crew members from local broadcaster UNTV who were killed.
“When will the trial be over? God only knows, but we cannot afford to wait forever.”
Former Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. allegedly led over a hundred of the clan’s private army in stopping a convoy carrying relatives of a political rival in their southern stronghold of Maguindanao province, before shooting and hastily burying them..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101116com7.html
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