GENERAL SANTOS City – Eight of the 30 journalists killed in the massacre in Maguindanao province were finally laid to rest in General Santos City.

Family members, friends, colleagues and supporters of those killed in the carnage attended the mass to pay their last respects to the victims and bring their remains to its final resting place.

Merly Perante, who is 7 months pregnant, almost fainted while at the church. She is the wife of Goldstar Daily correspondent Ronnie Perante. Her father-in-law, Ceferino, also had to be assisted after he experienced difficulty in breathing.

Perante was among the 30 journalists massacred on November 23 in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao.

The group of journalists was with the convoy of Genalyn Mangudadatu, the wife of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu. Mangudadatu’s wife was on her way to file the certificate of candidacy on his behalf.

Aside from the journalists, Mangudadatu’s wife, his two sisters, supporters, and lawyers were also brutally murdered.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said that the body of one journalist still remains missing. Of the total 31 journalists killed, 14 were from General Santos City, nine from Koronadal City, four from Tacurong City, two from Davao City, one from Cotabato City, and another one from Sto. Nino, South Cotabato.

“Galit nararamdaman ko. Sobrang sakit din. Di man lang makita ng mga anak ang mukha ng kanilang ina,” said Elliver Cablitas, husband of Marites Cablitas of News Focus/dxDX General Santos City.

At the funeral, colleagues in media released white balloons and reiterated their call for justice to the victims of the massacre. Report from Chat Ansagay, ABS-CBN News, General Santos City