MANILA, Philippines – One of the counsels of the Ampatuan massacre victims claimed Thursday, the guilty verdict handed down by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes is a very welcome development especially on the part of relatives who now embark on a new beginning of their lives aside from emotional healing.
The family of the victims hailed the decision by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court that convicted guilty the principal suspects in the case.
Shortly after Judge Reyes ended the hearing with a guilty footnote, families of the victims walked out of the annex court in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig with a smile on their faces.
Former Presidential Spokesman lawyer Harry Roque said many among them finally found “closure” in the darkest chapter of their lives over the death of loved ones and trial of 10 grueling years which also claimed at least the death of 3 witnesses who were shot dead.
Roque represented the relatives of 19 of the 58 killed in the 2009 massacre.
“Now, they can move on with their lives,” Roque said, as his clients gestured hand “V” signs to the crowd outside the camp to signal “victory.”
Meanwhile, the complete list of media workers murdered was the following:
- Alejandro Reblando
- Andres Teodoro
- Arturo Betia
- Benjie Adolfo
- Bienvenido Legarte Jr.
- Daniel Tiamson
- Ernesto Maravilla
- Fernando Razon
- Francisco Subang
- Gina dela Cruz
- Hannibal Cachuela
- Henry Araneta
- Jepon Cadagdagon
- Jhoy Duhay
- Joel Parcon
- John Caniban
- Jolito Evardo
- Lea Dalmacio
- Lindo Lupogan
- Marife Montaño
- Marites Cablitas
- Mark Gilbert Arriola
- Napoleon Salaysay
- Noel Decina
- Rey Merisco
- Reynaldo Momay
- Romeo Jimmy Cabillo
- Ronie Perante
- Rosell Morales
- Rubello Bataluna
- Santos Gatchalian
- Victor Nuñez
Meanwhile, the following were among those killed:
Mangudadatu clan
- Genalin Tiamzon Mangudadatu
- Eden Gaguil Mangudadatu
- Farinah Mangudadatu Hassan
- Rowena Ante Mangudadatu
- Surayyda Gaguil Bernan
- Wahida Ali Kalim
- Mamotabai Mangudadatu
- Raida Abdul Sapalon
- Faridah Sabdullah Gaguil
Supporters
- Pinky Balayman
- Lailani Balayman
- Eugene Demillo Pamansag
- Abdillah Ayada
- Rahima Palawan
- Meriam Calimbol
Lawyers
- Concepcion Jayme-Brizuela
- Cynthia Oquendo-Ayon
- Catalino Oquendo Jr.
Van Drivers
- Norton Edza Ebus
- Razul Daud Bulilo
Passersby
- Eduardo Lechonsito
- Cecille Lechonsito
- Mercy Palabrica
- Daryll delos Reyes
- Wilhelm Palabrica
- Anthony Ridao (IAMIGO/CNS)
