Talks between Duterte, kin of Maguindanao massacre victims pushed

The Maguindanao massacre carnage site in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Malacañang is “arranging” a meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and the families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre as the country is set to commemorate the 8th anniversary of the single deadliest attack ever against the media on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said giving justice to the victims remains to be a “priority” of the Duterte administration.

“Prayoridad po ang pagbibigay katarungan sa pamilya ng mga biktima dito sa Ampatuan massacre na ito,” he said in an interview in Malacañang.

Roque, who served as a lawyer for the families of the victims, said Duterte is one with the families and relatives of victims in giving them justice.

“Binibigyang prayoridad ni Pangulong Duterte yung mga patayang nangyari laban sa mga mamamahayag dahil naniniwala siya na ito ay pagpaslang din ng karapatan ng malayang pamamahayag,” he said.

“Nakikiisa ang ating Pangulo doon sa kahilingan ng mga biktima na magkaroon ng katarungan na. Napakatagal na panahon na niyan at naniniwala tayo na hanggang hindi napaparusahan ang mga pumapatay ay patuloy ang patayan sa ating lipunan,” he added.

Roque said he already personally asked an appointment between the families of the victims and the President.

“Asahan niyo na sa abot ng ating makakaya ay makikipag-ugnayan tayo para mapabilis itong proseso [sa pagkuha ng hustisya],” he said./ac