The nation marked the 15th anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre on Saturday, honoring the memory of the 58 individuals, including 32 journalists, who were brutally killed in one of the deadliest attacks on media workers worldwide.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) joined the commemoration, reaffirming its commitment to protecting press freedom and ensuring justice for the victims.
In a statement, the task force described the massacre as a stark reminder of the risks journalists face in their pursuit of truth and accountability.
The PTFoMS emphasized its ongoing mission to prevent violence against media workers and strengthen coordination among government agencies and media organizations, particularly in local communities. It also vowed to foster a culture of respect for press freedom and pursue justice for victims of media-related violence.
The massacre occurred on Nov. 23, 2009, when a convoy of journalists, lawyers, and family members of then-gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu was ambushed in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
The group was on its way to file Mangudadatu’s candidacy when armed men linked to a powerful political clan attacked.
Senator Risa Hontiveros meanwhile urged the media to be vigilant as the country commemorates the 15th anniversary of the infamous massacre in Maguindanao.
Hontiveros, in a press conference at the Aklan Provincial Capitol on Saturday, said that she was studying how to strengthen human rights in the country to prevent the same incident from happening again.
On November 23, 2009, some 58 victims, many of whom were members of the media, were ambushed and killed in a firing squad in Maguindanao province. Some 44 involved were convicted in court while 88 others remained at large. Two of the victims were from Altavas, Aklan.
Hontiveros was in Aklan to launch her forum “Anti-Bastos” law among the students and advocates at the Northwestern Visayan College here.
