Ten years ago, a brutal massacre happened in the province of Maguindanao that not only shocked the whole country, but the entire world. Its sheer banality and cruelty baffled people around the globe, even describing it as the worst case of cruelty against journalists anywhere in the world at any time.

The Maguindanao massacre happened at the ebb of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration. More than 48 people were massacred  by men of the province’s former governor Andal Ampatuan. Based on the investigation by the Justice department, it was found out that Mayor Andal Ampatuan Junior was the mastermind behind this crime.

Bong Andal, one of the trusted men of Mayor Unsay Ampatuan, became the celebrated witness on July 2013, when he testified in court that he was the one who hid the backhoe and several vehicles of the victims.

Government tried but failed to arrest 197 persons believed involved in the massacre. Only 101 people are awaiting the decision, while others are still at large.

This case became highly controversial due to politics, as former governor Ampatuan was known to be very close to former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.