MANILA, Philippines - The relatives of victims of the Maguindanao massacre last November 23, 2009 were joined by media groups, activists and religious leaders in launching activities on Sunday commemorating the second month anniversary of the gruesome killings.

In Maguindanao province, it was almost noon when an almost 40-vehicle convoy reached Sitio Masalay in Barangay Salman in Ampatuan town – the site of the massacre which killed at least 57 people, including at least 30 journalists.

The convoy was composed of groups from Davao City, General Santos City, Kidapawan City and Cotabato City.

The group, which included relatives and friends of the massacre victims as well as members of the National Interfaith Mission for Peace and Justice in Mindanao and journalists, marched the 2-kilometer road to the site where the bodies of the victims were found.

Prayers, led by religious leaders, were immediately offered for the massacre victims.

Relatives of the victims were also given an opportunity to talk about their departed loved ones.

They also offered flowers and lit candles for the souls of their slain relatives.

The families of the victims also released white balloons, symbolizing their hope to be free from the pain of the loss of their departed relatives.

“Slow process”

The families of the victims also called for justice to be served. Some slammed the slow process of prosecuting the suspects in the massacre.

"Sana mabigyan ng hustisya. Mabagal talaga! Dalawang buwan na wala pa rin nangyayari," cried Jovemin Duhay-Duyag, sister of massacre victim Joy Duhay.

Maria Reynafe Momay-Castillo, meanwhile, also joined in the commemoration. She is still looking for the body of Midland Review reporter Reynaldo Momay who has not been found.

The relatives of the victims of the massacre announced the launching of a group – Justice Now!

"Ito siya is iyong para sa families, we want justice," said Momay-Castillo.

Activist party-list legislators Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan also participated in the commemoration activity in Maguindanao.

Orphaned children

In General Santos City, an activity to commemorate the massacre was also held.

Relatives of the victims in the city and organizations joined the activity at a cemetery arriving in a convoy.

Brenda Akma, younger sister of massacre victim Leah Dalmacio, said she still longs for her sister. She said she feels sad of the 2 orphaned children of her sister. She said she also now tends to her sister’s 3-month old baby.

Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor joined the commemoration in General Santos City. He explained to the relatives of the victims the process of the massacre case.

Blancaflor admitted to difficulties in the case but assured the relatives that the government will continue to prosecute the suspects and give justice to the massacre victims.

Acting National Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales and Presidential Adviser on Mindanao affairs Secretary Jesus Dureza also visited relatives of the massacre victims.

They reportedly gave P10,000 to each of the families of the massacre victims.

The wife of massacre victim Romy Perante expressed her thanks for the financial aid given. She said she was also promised assistance as she is scheduled to give birth by next week.

Candles

Various groups in Zamboanga City, meanwhile, lit candles in Zamboanga City to commemorate the massacre’s second-month anniversary.

They called for the speedy disposition of the massacre case.

Students and members of activist groups also slammed what they called the slow system of justice in the country. They sought that charges of multiple murders be filed to all members of the Ampatuan clan and not just rebellion.

Journalists

Solidarity activities were also launched in Angeles City in Central Luzon by groups of journalists.

The activity, which was led by the Pampanga chapter of National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), was held at Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City.

Journalists from Baguio City, Dagupan City, as well as from the provinces of Quezon, Batangas, Bulacan, Pangasinan and Pampanga, joined the activity.

NUJP and CMFR, in a statement, called for unity among members of media in the pursuitof justice for the massacre victims.

In the solidarity activity, the journalists, who were joined by Presidential Adviser For External Affairs Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, lit candles for the massacre victims.

Pamintuan assured the journalists that the government is doing every thing to give justice to the massacre victims.

The journalists vowed to commemorate the massacre every 23rd day of the month in Pampanga as well as in other provinces.

Raised walls, barbed wire

The capital town Shariff Aguak of Maguindanao, meanwhile, was silent.

Modifications to the mansions of the Ampatuans, who are considered as suspects in the massacre, were noticeable however.

The concrete perimeter wall of the mansion of detained former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. was seen to have been raised. Shanties near the wall have also been removed.

An explosion blasted a hole in the perimeter wall last January 3.

The walls of the residence of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. have also been modified. Before, only grills formed the perimeter wall, but now only the roof of the house can be seen from outside. Andal Jr. has been tagged as the prime suspect in the massacre.

Barbed wires were also installed before the gate of the house of Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar Ampatuan. From reports of Lore Mae Andong, Chat Ansagay, Myline Valencia, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group