Court of Appeals asked to recognize 58th Maguindanao Massacre victim

The families of the victims of the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre have asked the Court of Appeals (CA) to resolve the consolidated appeals in the case and formally recognize photojournalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay as the 58th victim.

- 

Relatives and supporters of victims of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre hold pictures of the victims during a press conference after the verdict in the case in Taguig, Manila on December 19, 2019

(AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE)

The heirs filed their 15-page motion before the appellate court on Monday, November 24.

One of the key pleas is the judicial acknowledgment of Momay, whose body was never recovered — a point the trial court did not address when it convicted the accused on only 57 counts of murder in its Dec. 19, 2019 consolidated partial decision.

“That the Philippines has not judicially recognized the 58th victim, Reynaldo ‘Bebot’ Momay, in the appealed Consolidated Partial Decision dated December 19, 2019 is a profound failure that demands urgent correction by this Honorable Court,” the petition read.

Momay’s daughter, Reynafe Momay-Castillo, stressed the pain of the omission.