Senate sets Nov. 23 as day to remember Maguindanao massacre

MANILA, Philippines—The Senate on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution declaring November 23 of every year a national day to commemorate the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, which left 58 people dead.

Resolution 642, initiated by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, describes the 2009 massacre as “the worst manifestation of the plague of extrajudicial killings.”

“The failure to solve all but a pitiful handful of these murder cases and to enforce existing laws intended to protect and promote human rights has bred a culture of impunity that has emboldened those who would curtail free expression,” it says.

“Those who defend human rights and issue calls for justice and accountability all too often find themselves targets of extrajudicial killings and other attacks as well,” the resolution adds.

It urges the government to bring justice to the victims and ensure governance by taking measures to facilitate the expeditious disposal of unsolved cases of extrajudicial killings.