MEDIA WATCHDOG National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) expressed concern over the furlough granted by the court that allowed former Muslim autonomous regional governor Zaldy Ampatuan to attend his daughter’s wedding recently.
Ampatuan is one the principal accused in the multiple murder case filed over the November 23, 2009 massacre of dozens of people, including journalists in Ampatuan town. NUJP said it only learned of the furlough after Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali posted on social media a picture of herself with Ampatuan. And the caption reads: “Alhamdulilla, with my former Boss, RG Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan during the wedding ceremony of his eldest daughter Bai Nur Aila.”
Sahali, it added, also posted video from the wedding, which she indicated was held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel.
“While we may understand a parent’s desire to be present at such an important milestone in the life of a child, we stress that the crime of which Mr. Ampatuan is accused of, is of such a heinous nature that the shock and outrage it stirred around the world forced then President Gloria Arroyo to move against the powerful clan that was among her staunchest allies.”
“Almost nine years after the rampage that claimed the lives of 58 persons – 32 of them media workers – no one has yet been convicted. Yet a principal accused, Sajid Ampatuan, was granted bail. That and now this, we feel, gives us and the victims’ families more than enough cause to worry about whether we can truly expect justice for this most grievous of crimes. We all know that most people accused of lesser offenses almost never get to enjoy a privilege as that granted Zaldy Ampatuan. What made him an exception to the rule?” NUJP asked. (Mindanao Examiner)
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