27 Journalists killed in Maguindanao massacre

MANILA – The Center for International Law has released its list of 27 journalists who were brutally killed in the infamous Maguindanao Massacre that occurred last Nov. 23 in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao Province.

The journalists, who were with local politicians and supporters on their way to filing the certificate of candidacy in the municipality of Shariff Aguak, were abducted and killed by around 100 armed men identified with Andal Ampatuan Jr., mayor of Datu Unsay. Ampatuan, who peacefully surrendered to authorities yesterday, is now facing multiple murder charges and is detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) facility in Manila. A review of the Center’s list, which was mainly taken from press people who backed out of the entourage in the last minute, shows that most of the journalists who became political victims were mostly from cities adjacent to Maguindanao and were providing news to small, local publications. Two broadcasters from Davao City scheduled to return home a day before the carnage were killed after accepting an invitation from media friends to join the supposedly ‘historic’ filing that would have formally forged the electoral battle between an Ampatuan and a Mangudadatu, the rival family, for the gubernatorial post of Maguindanao. Also, six reporters of a little-known rural newspaper were wiped out in the mayhem. The complete list of journalists so far identified is as follows: Alejandro ‘Bong’ Reblando Manila-based Manila Bulletin; Ronie Perante and Jhoy Duha of the Cagayan de Oro City-based Gold Star Daily correspondent; Napoleon Salaysay of the Davao-based Mindanao Gazette; Henry Araneta, reported of the Manila-based DZRH; Ernesto ‘Bart’ Maravilla, broadcaster of radio network Bombo-Radyo; Davao City-based broadcasters Santos ‘Jun’ Gatchalian Jr. and Lindo Lupogan; Andy Teodoro of Central Mindanao Inquirer, Tacurong City; Joel Parcon, Noel Decena, John Caniban, Arturo Betia, Rey Merisco, and Rani Razon, all of Koronadal City-based Periodico Ini; Mark Gilbert ‘Mac-Mac’ Arriola and Victor Nuñez of UNTV, Gen. Santos City; Ian Subang and Leah Dalmacio of Socsargen Today, Gen. Santos City; Maritess Cablitas and Rosell Morales of News Focus, Gen. Santos City; Gina dela Cruz and Neneng Montaño of Saksi News, Gen. Santos City; Jimmy Cabillo and Reynaldo Bebot Momay of Midland Review, Tacurong City; Bienvenido ‘Jun’ Legarte of Prontiera News, Koronadal City; and Hanibal Cachuela, Punto News, Koronadal City. The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders has called the mayhem the "largest single massacre of journalists ever" while the International Federation of Journalists, as a result of the tragic incident, has given the Philippines the dubious recognition as the most dangerous place for practicing Fourth Estate members.