AMPATUAN, Maguindanao del Sur — The fallen journalists, who were among the victims of the Ampatuan Massacre, were remembered as the tragedy marked its 15th anniversary on Nov. 23.

Twenty-four journalists from the Visayas visited the site in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town, Maguindanao del Sur, on Thursday to pray and pay tribute to the 58 victims of the tragedy.

Among those killed were 32 media practitioners in what is considered as the deadliest single attack on journalists worldwide.

Rjay Castor, the Iloilo City correspondent of The Manila Times, lit candles for the victims. He said he was only 9 years old when the tragedy occurred but felt the gravity of the event upon visiting the site.

"I hope justice will be served, and I hope it won't happen again," he said.

SunStar Cebu editor Wenilyn Sabalo expressed her emotions, wishing for all those responsible for the massacre to face prosecution.

"The people responsible for the tragedy should be made accountable for the crime," she said.

On Nov. 23, 2009, gunmen allegedly linked to the powerful Ampatuan clan ambushed a convoy traveling to Shariff Aguak to file a certificate of candidacy for then-gubernatorial candidate Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu at the provincial office of the Commission on Elections.

The attack killed journalists, lawyers and civilians accompanying the candidate's supporters, including Mangudadatu's wife, Genalyn.

Mangudadatu was not part of the convoy.

The case, considered a landmark in Philippine legal history, saw the conviction of several members of the Ampatuan clan in December 2019. Andal Ampatuan Jr. and Zaldy Ampatuan, along with others, were sentenced to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years in prison without parole.

They were found guilty of planning and carrying out the massacre to eliminate political opposition.

However, other members of the Ampatuan clan were acquitted and 80 suspects remain at large.

Convictions in the case can be appealed and the Ampatuans have signified their intention to challenge the verdict. They are currently serving their sentences at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.

Legal proceedings continue as the heirs of some victims have also appealed for higher compensation and recognition for all who perished in the massacre.

Meanwhile, the remains of journalist Reynaldo "Bebot" Momay, the 58th victim, were never found, leaving his case unresolved in the original trial.

Veteran war photojournalist Froilan Gallardo, who guided the Visayas journalists at the massacre site, recalled that they were actively looking to retrieve the body of Momay days after the carnage.

However, no traces of Momay's body were found except for his denture.

Gallardo said the journalist's family is still seeking justice.

The visit was part of a two-day study tour in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao by journalists from the Visayas, organized by the Mindanao Institute of Journalism and its partners.

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