I support the calls of media organizations for the open and live coverage of the scheduled promulgation of the decision in the Ampatuan Massacre case on Dec. 19. This case is the single, most horrific crime – multiple murder – in modern Philippine history, in terms of the number of victims which include media practitioners and the beastly nature of the killings.
As someone who is undergoing an undeserved trial that was initially shut off from the world to watch, I understand the importance of making public every single detail of the verdict of this case, which dragged on with the defense stalling the procedures. Given how the case is now overdue, the public deserves no less than being able to see how this case will pan out.
We need to remain vigilant as the court proceedings come to a close, 10 years after that gruesome Monday in 2009. The notoriety of this crime is known all over the world, and the world needs to know, in real time, the verdict. Will true and complete justice be served? Or will impunity continue to reign in this country?