Gov’t urged to pay kin of Maguindanao massacre victims

Atty. Harry Roque Jr. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines–If the government can spend P44 million a year for its conditional cash transfer for the poor, why not compensate the families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre?

Lawyer Harry Roque, who represents some of the families of the massacre victims, issued this challenge Wednesday to Malacañang.

On Monday, Roque revealed that 14 kin of media victims of the massacre have agreed to negotiate for settlement with the Ampatuans.

“Bakit hindi natin sila bigyan ng P1 million ng mawala nang tuluyan itong mga tukso na gaya nito (Why not give each of them P1 million to keep them away from temptation),” Roque told reporters.

Roque earlier said with the government’s failure to provide the victims adequate remedy under domestic law and compensation, the victims will continuously be tempted with schemes that may eventually cause a miscarriage of justice.

Roque explained that the government’s duty to pay compensation to the victims of the massacre is separate and distinct from the civil damages that the Court may order the accused to pay to the private complainants as part of the judgment in the criminal cases for murders.

“The compensation that is due to the victims is because it is the state itself that breached its obligation to protect and promote the right of the victims to live. This includes not just monetary compensation, but also all that may be required to restore the emotional and psychological well-being of the victims,” he said adding that they still have a pending motion before the Quezon City Court to order government agencies to provide psycho-social support to the victims.

He said he is saddened by the government’s response that compensation will not be provided to the victim’s kin

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government is not responsible for the death of the 58 victims.

“Nakakalungkot po ito dahil ang buong akala ko ang gobyerno, sa mga pagkakataon na ganito ang magbibigay inspirasyon sa mga biktima para tumayo at ipaglaban ang karapatan. Hindi ko po akalain na ang gobyerno pa ngayon ang yuyurak sa inaasahan ng mga biktima,” Roque said.

(It’s upsetting as I thought that the government in times like these should give inspiration to the victims so they stand up and fight for their right. I did not expect that the government would be the one shattering the hopes of the victims’ families.)

Meanwhile, Editha Tiamzon, wife of victim Daniel Tiamzon from UNTV, urged relatives of the other victims to continue fighting for justice.