Either the tears of joy or pain will fall from the eyes of the relatives of Ampatuan massacre victims as the so-called trial of the decade ends today, December 19, 2019.
Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes is handing down the verdict on the 2009 Maguindanao massacre in few minutes today.
The November 2009 massacre was orchestrated by the Ampatuan family, a strong clan that ordered the killing of 58 people, 32 of them journalists.
The murders are one of the worst journalist killings recorded in the world today. The slayings came on the heels of the 2010 elections when Esmael Mangudadatu was filing his candidacy to run against the Ampatuan family. That filing cost 58 people their lives, including his wife Bai Gigi and other relatives.
Mangudadatu said he decided to let his family members file his certificate of candidacy because he is confident that no one would do harm since Islam commands the utmost respect for women.
Six other victims were just passing by the crime scene when they were killed.
Watch: Maguindanao Ampatuan live coverage
Who were the victims of Ampatuan massacre?
Let us take time to remember the lives of the 58 victims who were brutally killed and buried on November 23, 2009.
Mangudadatu family and associates
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Genalyn Tiamson-Mangudadatu | Wife of Esmael Mangudadatu |
| Eden Mangudadatu | Municipal Vice Mayor of Mangudadatu, Maguindanao, sister of Esmael Mangudadatu |
| Rowena Mangudadatu | Cousin of Esmael Mangudadatu |
| Manguba Mangudadatu | Aunt of Esmael Mangudadatu |
| Faridah Sabdulah | Lawyer |
| Farida Mangudadatu | Sister of Esmael Mangudadatu |
| Farina Mangudadatu | Sister of Esmael Mangudadatu |
| Concepcion “Connie” Brizuela, 56 | Lawyer |
| Cynthia Oquendo, 36 | Lawyer |
| Catalino Oquendo | Cynthia Oquendo’s father |
| Rasul Daud | Driver of Sultan Kudarat Rep. Pax Mangudadatu |
Journalists
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Alejandro “Bong” Reblando | Manila Bulletin correspondent, a former Associated Press reporter |
| Henry Araneta | DZRH correspondent based in General Santos City |
| Napoleon “Nap” Salaysay | DZRO manager |
| Bartolome “Bart” Maravilla | Bombo Radyo Koronadal, South Cotabato |
| Jhoy Duhay | Goldstar Daily |
| Andy Teodoro | Central Mindanao Inquirer reporter |
| Ian Subang | Mindanao Focus, a General Santos-based weekly community newspaper |
| Leah Dalmacio | Mindanao Focus reporter |
| Gina Dela Cruz | Mindanao Focus reporter |
| Maritess Cablitas | Mindanao Focus reporter |
| Neneng Montano | Saksi weekly newspaper reporter |
| Victor Nuñez | UNTV reporter |
| Ronnie I. Diola | UNTV cameraman. |
| Jolito Evardo | UNTV editor |
| Daniel Tiamson | UNTV driver |
| Reynaldo Momay | Koronadal-based journalist |
| Rey Merisco | Koronadal-based journalist |
| Ronnie Perante | Koronadal-based journalist |
| Jun Legarta | Koronadal-based journalist |
| Val Cachuela | Koronadal-based journalist |
| Santos “Jun” Gatchalian | Davao-based journalist. |
| Joel Parcon | Freelance journalist. |
| Noel Decena | Freelance journalist. |
| John Caniba | Freelance journalist. |
| Art Betia | Freelance journalist. |
| Ranie Razon | Freelance journalist. |
| Archie Ace David | Freelance journalist. |
| Fernanado “Ferdz” Mendoza | Freelance driver. |
Maguindanao Massacre Other Civilian Casualties
Number of casualties: 5. They were supposedly mistaken as part of the convoy.
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Eduardo Lechonsito | Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat government employee. |
| Cecille Lechonsito | Wife of Eduardo Lechonsito. |
| Mercy Palabrica | Co-worker of Eduardo Lechonsito. |
| Daryll delos Reyes | Co-worker of Eduardo Lechonsito. |
| Wilhelm Palabrica | Driver. |
Number of casualties: 1. Mistaken as part of the convoy.
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Anthony Ridao | National Statistics Coordination Board employee and son of Cotabato City councilor Marino Ridao. |