‘Hustisya!’: Guilty verdict of Ampatuans for Maguindanao massacre lauded by celebs
Ria Atayde, Bianca Gonzalez and Kim Chiu are among those who hailed the guilty verdict against the Ampatuan brothers. Image: Instagram/@ria, @iamsuperbianca, @chinitaprincess
After ten years, a guilty verdict has been laid for those behind the Maguindanao massacre, a gruesome incident that claimed the lives of 57 people. Andal Ampatuan Jr., his brothers and other relatives were meted with the penalty of reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years of imprisonment without parole.
READ: Andal Ampatuan Jr., kin guilty for Maguindanao massacre of 57 people
Among the victims were 32 journalists, making the incident the worst single attack against reporters and media workers.
Celebrities joined Filipinos online in hailing the verdict made against the Ampatuans at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court today, Dec. 19.
Many sympathized with the victims and their families. Prior to the verdict, singer Leah Navarro expressed on Twitter the sorrow she saw herself among the families.
“Having had the opportunity to look into the grieving eyes of the families who lost loved ones in this brutal #AmpatuanMassacre and felt their pain, my wish for them is to be granted the justice they deserve. Let us pray for a guilty verdict on the perpetrators,” she said.
And when the verdict was delivered, she only had one word to say: “Yes!!!”
TV host Bianca Gonzalez said, “Grabe yung 10 years (Ten years is intense). Cannot imagine what the families of those slain must be feeling right now. #JUSTICEFORALL #MaguindanaoMassacreVerdict”
Grabe yung 10 years. Cannot imagine what the families of those slain must be feeling right now. #JUSTICEFORALL #MaguindanaoMassacreVerdict
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) December 19, 2019
Others cried out “hustisya” (justice), such as actor and spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo, and singer Bullet Dumas who said, “Hustisya para sa mundo.” (Justice for the world.)
Hustisya para sa mundo.
— Bullet Dumas 🇵🇭 (@bulletdumas) December 19, 2019
Some lamented the length of time before justice could be served.
Actor Bart Guingona noted, “The #AmpatuanMassacre is a reminder of the dysfunctional justice system that allows that kind of evil to go on even up to today.”
10 years before a verdict! The #AmpatuanMassacre is a reminder of the dysfunctional justice system that allows that kind of evil to go on even up to today.
— Bart Guingona (@guingonabart) December 19, 2019
Others expressed gratitude, such as actresses Kim Chiu and Ria Atayde.
Chiu said on her Instagram Stories today, “After 10 years, great news to end the year, a great gift to the victims’ families and to everyone seeking justice in the Philippines. Keep hoping!”
“HISTORY. What a beautiful Christmas gift to our people. There is hope, mga bes (friends),” said Atayde.
HISTORY 💛 what a beautiful Christmas gift to our people. There is hope, mga bes! https://t.co/8pikvc4W6t
— Ria Atayde (@RiaAtayde) December 19, 2019
In 2009, the victims were in a convoy which carried politician Esmael Mangudadatu’s wife and relatives before he filed for candidacy in Maguindanao. The convoy was allegedly blocked by Andal Ampatuan Jr. and his armed followers. Its passengers were taken to a hilltop where they were allegedly shot at close range, their bodies dumped in pits along with the vehicles.
Though the mass killing was related to an electoral rivalry, it became all the more a huge cause for concern because it underscored the threats that journalists face in the country, as well as the culture of impunity among political clans.
The Ampatuans continue to deny the allegations and can appeal the decision. JB
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