Manila: The family of Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay on Monday asked the Court of Appeals to recognize him as the 58th victim of the Maguindanao massacre. In a 15-page manifestation, lawyer Gilbert Andres, representing the Momay family, urged the court to address pending matters, including the inclusion of Momay as a party in the case.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court previously acquitted the accused in Momay’s case and dismissed his family’s claim for damages. Families of the victims, who were slain during the 2009 Maguindanao massacre by the private army of the Ampatuan family, have requested the Court of Appeals (CA) to make a ruling on the outstanding appeals in the case.
“It’s been 16 years, and until now walang (there is no) acknowledgment for my dad. Napakahirap sa amin ‘yun (It’s hard for us). We don’t have closure. We don’t have the body,” stated Momay’s daughter, Ma. Reynafe ‘Nenen’ Momay-Castillo, in the manifestation. She further expressed, “The pain remains deep and unresolved for our family because justice remains incomplete.Our call is very simple. to recognize that my dad is a victim and to grant our family justice.”
The Maguindanao massacre occurred in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, on November 23, 2009, leading to the death of 57 individuals, including 34 journalists.
