Live coverage of verdict sought in Philippine massacre trial
December 9, 2019 · By Joe Torres, Manila for www.ucanews.org
Journalists display photographs of the victims of the 2009 killing of 58 people, including media workers, during a demonstration in Manila on Nov. 23. (Photo: Jire Carreon)
A Catholic bishop in the southern Philippines’ Mindanao region has called on authorities to allow live coverage of a long-awaited court verdict on those accused of involvement in the massacre of at least 58 people in 2009.At least 32 of the victims in what has become known as the Maguindanao Massacre were journalists.Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamiz said the public, especially family members of the victims, should be given the chance to hear the court’s decision.A Manila court is due to give its verdict in the drawn-out case on Dec. 19
“We want to hear what the court would say,” said the prelate, adding that live media coverage would be “very much welcome by the public.”
Archbishop Jumoad expressed hope that the verdict would be favorable to the victims, “otherwise the public will condemn our justice system.”
“The court must not give so much weight on technicalities but on evidence,” said the prelate.
Several media organizations have this week filed a petition before the country’s Supreme Court also asking for live coverage of the verdict.
“Live coverage/streaming would allow the relatives of the 58 victims who may not be able to attend the hearing in Metro Manila to hear or see live the ruling on the killing of their relatives being given,” read the petition.
The families of those who died in the massacre are mostly based in the southern provinces of South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and the city of General Santos.
The media groups maintained that live coverage of the verdict will not be prejudicial to the rights of the accused because the verdict would have already been arrived at.
In 2011, the Supreme Court allowed live radio and television coverage of the trial, but in a subsequent ruling in 2012 the court then disallowed live coverage.
During the course of the nine-year trial, the court has heard testimonies from hundreds of witnesses and the arguments of lawyers representing 101 people charged with multiple murder.
Most of the suspects, about 80, are still at large.
Among those charged with the crime are members of the Ampatuan political clan who were accused of conspiring to plot and carry out the murders in the province of Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009.
The victims were accompanying gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu, who was running for election in 2010. His wife, two sisters and several supporters died in the massacre.
The massacre was the world’s deadliest single attack against media workers.
