Metro Manila, Philippines — For 15 years, what Reynafe Momay-Castillo wants has not changed.
It might be incomprehensible, frustrating, and even elusive, but one thing Reynafe is certain: They will find justice for the death of his father.
She is the daughter of photojournalist Reynaldo Momay, one of the victims of the Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre.
Momay’s dentures were found at the crime scene in Brgy. Salman in Ampatuan, Maguindanao (now Maguindanao del Sur). However, the verdict handed in December 2019 did not recognize Momay as one of the victims because his body was never found.
“Hindi ka abogado, wala ka sa linya na ‘yon, pero kailangan mo minsang intindihin. Alam mo ba ‘yong gusto mong intindihin na ang hirap siyang intindihin?” Reynafe told NewsWatch Plus.
[Translation: You’re not a lawyer but you have to comprehend the legalities. Do you know that feeling that you want to understand what happened but it’s just difficult?]
Reynafe has filed an appeal in the Court of Appeals, but until now, there has been no progress. She and her lawyers could speculate what happened but they are determined to get updates.
“A day, a month, a year, ‘no, walang hustisya. It’s the same story, walang hustisya,” she said.
[Translation: A day, a month, a year, there is no justice. It’s the same story, there is no justice.]
A backhoe unearths more bodies from a shallow grave at the site of a massacre of a political clan that included several journalists in the outskirts of Ampatuan, Maguindanao in southern Philippines, on Nov. 25, 2009. (Erik de Castro/Reuters)
The Maguindanao massacre happened as 58 people, including 32 journalists and media workers, were on their way to the provincial capitol where Esmael Mangudadatu was to file candidacy papers for the gubernatorial post. Mangudadatu was challenging Andal Jr. of the Ampatuan clan, one of Mindanao's leading Muslim political families.
On Dec. 19, 2019, Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court convicted Andal Ampatuan Jr. and Zaldy Ampatuan of 57 counts of murder. The Ampatuan brothers were sentenced to reclusion perpetua without parole.
The patriarch, Andal Ampatuan Sr., died of liver cancer in July 2015. The three of them were the accused masterminds.
Forgiveness and justice
Drawing out her strength from God and her faith, Reynafe said she has already forgiven the killers. This was despite their family not having closure with what happened — no remains of her father to look at.
In her previous talk with other families of slain journalists, Reynafe said she told them also to try to let go of their pain, hatred, and anger.
“To release forgiveness is different from seeking justice,” Reynafe clarified.
“Taon-taon nanawagan ako, taon-taon humihingi ako ng tulong sa justice system. Hindi ko tinuturuan ang justice system na pumabor sa amin, ibigay lang ‘yong tamang hatol. That’s the only thing that I’m asking,” she said.
[Translation: Year after year, I have called for help. Year after year, I have asked for help from the justice system. I’m not telling the justice system to favor us, but only to give the right verdict. That’s the only thing that I’m asking.]
“Nanawagan lang ako na sana na tapusin na nila ‘yong paghihirap namin sa pag-aantay. Kasi itong battle na ‘to, it's not only a legal battle. It’s emotional battle, it’s psychological battle, ‘yon ‘yong mas mahirap,” she said.
[Translation: I’m calling them to end our misery in waiting. Because this is not only a legal battle. This is an emotional battle, a psychological battle. That’s what makes this even harder.]
Only the dispositive portion of the over 700-page decision was read during the promulgation on Dec. 19, 2019. (Supreme Court of the Philippines/NewsWatch Plus/File)
The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) also said that the vicitms’ kin have yet to receive “full justice.”
Zorayda Mustaril, NUJP Board of Directors member, said “full justice” for the families meant getting a hold of the 88 at-large suspects and receiving compensation. The case is still open due to the appeals filed by key convicts. She said there were no updates from the appellate court.
“Sabi nga ni Emily Lopez, ang president ng Justice Now (association of families of slain journalists) ang issue din po doon is not only the compensation, it’s not just about money, but it’s the first step of delivering justice to the victims of the Ampatuan massacre,” Mustaril told NewsWatch Plus.
[Translation: As Emily Lopez, president of Justice Now, said the issue is not only the compensation, it’s not just about money, but it’s the first step of delivering justice to the victims of the Ampatuan massacre.]
Philippine media after the massacre
The Maguindanao massacre is considered the single deadliest attack on the press. It's also one of the worst cases of election violence in the Philippines.
“Mino-monitor pa rin natin ‘yung nangyari sa Ampatuan massacre. And also, awareness na rin ito sa mga kasamahan po natin na mga young journalists to help us to call for justice for the victims of the Ampatuan massacre,” Mustaril said.
[Translation: We’re still monitoring the case of the Ampatuan massacre. Also, this is for the awareness of our community, especially young journalists, to help us call for justice for the victims of the Ampatuan Massacre.]
She said the NUJP has been making efforts to ensure that “nothing like that happens again.”
Zorayda Mustaril, a Board of Directors member of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines, says the industry has put in place guidelines to ensure the safety of journalists.
“Mas maraming mga training, mga safety trainings to be aware po na para mas madagdagan ‘yong mga knowledge nila when it comes on covering yung mga activity, para maiwasan din po ‘yong nangyari ng election-related violence,” the Mindanao-based journalist said.
[Translation: We have more training, safety training, to provide more knowledge to media workers regarding their coverage and how to avoid election-related violence.]
“You have to look on the other side na wag mong i-risk ‘yong sarili mo,” she also said.
[Translation: You have to look on the other side, not let yourself be at risk.]
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security said it will “continue to work tirelessly to ensure that justice prevails and that the Philippines remains a safe place for journalists to work.”
The presidential body vowed the following:
+ Strengthen efforts to prevent and address media killings and violence.
+ Enhance coordination among government agencies and media organizations, especially at the local level.
+ Promote a culture of safety and respect for press freedom.
+ Ensure that justice is served for all victims of attacks against media workers.
‘Slow pace’ of justice, but fight goes on
Reynafe Momay-Castillo, a US-based nurse, continues to fight for justice for her father, Reynaldo Momay, who was not recognized as the 58th victim of the Maguindanao massacre.
Families of the massacre victims have faced 15 long years in their fight for justice.
Previously told the COVID-19 pandemic is part of the reason for the lack of updates on their appeal, Reynafe said her family and their lawyers press on.
She said she has to move on for her family and children, but it doesn’t mean she has forgotten.
“‘Yong lakas galing talaga sa taas... Inuulit ko talaga ‘to kahit kanino: I will always forgive, and I will forgive, pero itutuloy ko ang laban sa paghingi ng hustisya.”
[Translation: The strength comes from above. I always say this to others: I will always forgive, and I will forgive, but I will continue to fight for justice.]