MANILA, Philippines — The daughter of photojournalist Reynaldo ‘Bebot’ Momay has appealed to the higher court to judicially recognize her father as the 58th victim of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.
Accompanied by lawyer Gilbert Andres, of the CenterLaw Philippines, Maria Reynafe Momay Castillo, who is based in the United States, said she filed the motion before the Court of Appeals because her father has yet to be officially recognized as one of those killed in the massacre.
“I am here to appeal that he be recognized as the 58th victim,” Castillo told reporters.
Momay was 61 years old when the massacre took place on Nov. 23, 2009. Castillo said she was 39 at the time.
She described her father as someone she was close to, saying he frequently visited her home and was particularly close to his grandchildren.
Castillo said Momay, said to be a photojournalist of Midland Review, had joined the convoy that was attacked because he believed that members of the media would not be harmed.
His cadaver was not recovered, Andres told The Manila Times in an interview.
The Maguindanao massacre, one of the country's deadliest attacks on journalists, claimed 57 people, including 32 media workers.
Momay's family has long sought his recognition as the 58th victim, with Castillo saying there is evidence showing that he was present at the site of the massacre.
“I have been waiting for so long. I hope he will finally be acknowledged,” Castillo said.
She reiterated her appeal to the court to recognize her father, saying it was time for the judicial system to formally acknowledge his death in the massacre.
“I believe we have evidence that he was there. Perhaps it is time for them to acknowledge him as the 58th victim of the Maguindanao massacre,” she said.
Now moving towards 17 years, Andres said it could not diminish the State’s obligations to ensure accountability for grave human rights violations.
Indeed, as time passes, the imperative for the judicial recognition of Momay as the 58th victim of the Maguindanao massacre becomes increasingly compelling, the counsel stressed.
“Under international law, the right to truth and the right to justice are indispensable and fundamental rights of victims of gross human rights violations including appellant heirs of the 58th victim Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay,” Andres said.