“The families don’t actually expect 58 convictions. All they need is one, because one conviction is sufficient to put everyone behind bars for the rest of their lives,” Roque said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source.
Fifty-eight persons died in Barangal Salman in Ampatuan, Maguindanao on November 23, 2009. The Maguindanao Massacre, also known as the Ampatuan Massacre, was dubbed the singleRoque is one of the private prosecutors in the Maguindanao massacre case, representing 19 families, 17 of which are kin to slain journalists and two bystanders.“It’s been a lifetime since the massacre happened and we still have not gotten any justice,” Roque said.
Multiple charges have been filed against 198 accused, including prominent members of the Ampatuan clan namely Datu Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan, Jr., former Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, and their father, Andal Ampatuan, Sr., who are all primary suspects.He also said that the victims’ waiting for 10 years for justice is unacceptable.