Nancy Oquendo

MANILA - The relatives of 2 activist lawyers who were among those klled in the gruesome massacre in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao are grieving over the untimely defeat of their loved ones.

Nenita Oquendo who was in South Cotabato tried to control her grief as she tried to accept the fate that befell her husband and daughter.

Catalino, her husband, had accompanied her daughter lawyer Cynthia in the attempted filing of the certificate of candidacy of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu on Monday along with the vice mayor’s wife, relatives, lawyers and journalists.

Their convoy was stopped by armed men allegedly led by Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.. Their bodies were alter recovered by soldiers, some buried while some were still in their vehicles. As of posting 57 bodies have already been recovered.

Nenita said she is proud at the courage of her husband and her daughter.

She said however she could no longer appeal to the people responsible for their death.

“Wala na akong maipanawagan kasi the people there does not care about panawagan Ipasa-Diyos ko na lang lahat,” said Nenita.

Lawyer Cynthia was the 6th of 7 children and is a member of the group Violence against Women and Children.

Cynthia’s husband Dennis also tried to stop her emotions, He said he almost joined the 2 in the Maguindanao convoy of the Mangudadatu’s.

“Most ng mga lakad niya, kasama nia talaga ako. But then that time, hinintay ko lang na pilitan lang niya ako. ‘yon lang ang pagkakataon na di ko siya nasamahan,” said dennis, while trying to hold back tears.

The South Cotabato chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and General Santos City has condemned the mass killing in Maguindanao.

Against corruption

Irene Jaime Brizuela, the mother of lawyer Concepcion Brizuela, meanwhile was angry. The body of her daughter was recovered with her face reportedly mutilated.

Lawyer Concepcion was a human rights lawyer in North Cotabato known for fighting corruption.

“Galit ako siyempre pero anong magagawa natin. Gusto ko lang na mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay niya,” said Concepcion’s mother in the vernacular.

Friends and relatives of the late lawyer have began wearing black armbands to demand justice fo Concepcion.

“Alam natin na nafe-feature sa kasong ang clan ng mga Ampatuans who have the supreme control of the area. It’s high time for the president to, shall we say kailangan kalimutan kung ano ang mga political attachments natin,” said Ruby Padilla Sison, chair of the North Cotabato chapter of women’s group Gabriela.

Suara Bangsamoro group also joined the call for a thorough investigation.

A protest activity is reportedly set to be launched Wednesday night by the colleagues of lawyer Concepcion.

Meanwhile, Liberal Party vice-presidential candidate Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II has reportedly offered a silent prayer for lawyer Concepcion who was identified as an LP volunteer.

In a statement, Roxas made the prayer offer during oath-taking ceremonies at the Balay in Quezon City Tuesday.

“She, and so many others like her, like all other Filipinos, raise a fist against the present norm, against what is happening in our country. It is in her memory and in the memory of all those of our brother and sister Filipinos that we dedicate today’s ceremony,” Roxas was quoted to have said in the statement. From a report of Chat Ansagay, General Santos City.