Jamaine Punzalan

University of the Philippines (UP) Mass Communication students and members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) hold a protest and light candles to mark the 13th year of the Ampatuan Massacre in UP Diliman on November 23, 2022. The 2009 massacre is considered the worst political-related violence in the country which saw the killing of 58 people, 32 of whom were journalists, making it the single deadliest event for media workers worldwide. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176396116488220221123-ampatuan-massacre-anniv-up-JC-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">University of the Philippines (UP) Mass Communication students and members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) hold a protest and light candles to mark the 13th year of the Ampatuan Massacre in UP Diliman on November 23, 2022. The 2009 massacre is considered the worst political-related violence in the country which saw the killing of 58 people, 32 of whom were journalists, making it the single deadliest event for media workers worldwide. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The lawyers of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre asked the Court of Appeals on Monday to judicially recognize journalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay whose body was never found, except for his dentures, as the 58th victim of the Ampatuans.</p><p>Lawyer Gilbert Andres noted that Momay was not included among the “parties involved” in court documents. </p><p>“Under international law, the right to truth and the right to justice are indispensable and fundamental rights of victims of gross human rights violations —such as the Heirs of the 58th victim Reynaldo ‘Bebot’ Momay,” the lawyers said in their motion. </p><p>Andres noted that aside from credible testimonies from witnesses that Momay was included in the massacre, he can now be legally presumed to be dead.</p><p>“Sa Civil Code 10 years po para magkaroon ng intestate succession pero dito hindi dapat 10 years, pwedeng 4 years kasi isa pong karumal-dumal na scenario po ito, massacre ang nangyari. Kahit 10 years po ay lampas-lampas na po, 16 years na po wala po tayong narinig kay Reynaldo Bebot Momay kaya sigurado po talagang kasama po siya sa Maguindanao massacre,” Andres said. </p><p>The lawyers asked the CA to urgently resolve the merits of the pending appeals on the Maguindanao massacre cases. </p><p>It has been 16 years since the gruesome murder occurred on November 23, 2009, but the heirs of the victims continue to suffer, according to their lawyers. </p><p>Aside from the recognition of Momay, the heirs also asked the court to correct clerical errors as their final push for full justice. </p><p>“The remaining family members of the Maguindanao Massacre victims express their earnest hope that they may still be alive when the Honorable Court issues its decision on their consolidated appeals,” the lawyers said.</p><p>The manifestation filed before the CA included quotes from the heirs themselves to inform the court of their continued suffering.</p><p>“It’s been 16 years, and until now walang acknowledgment for my dad. Napakahirap sa amin yun. We don’t have closure. We don’t have the body,” said Renafe Momay-Castillo, daughter of Reynaldo.</p><p>“Bago man kami mawala sa mundo - hindi man natin alam ang buhay - para magkaroon na rin kami ng peace of mind yung mga pamilya and also yung mga namatay ay makakaroon na sila ng peace kung saan man sila, we are hoping na sana na mapadali yung kaso sa Court of Appeals,”  said Noemi Parcon, widow of Joel Parcon.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/11/23/mga-mangudadatu-bumisita-sa-puntod-ng-kaanak-na-napatay-sa-maguindanao-massacre-1349">Mga Mangudadatu, bumisita sa puntod ng kaanak na napatay sa Maguindanao Massacre, sigaw pa rin ang hustisya</a></div><div><iframe width="727" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4to5nXRnZHU" title="EP 14: Sins of A Ruling Clan: The 2009 Ampatuan Massacre | Philippines’ Most Shocking Stories" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The lawyers of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre asked the Court of Appeals on Monday to judicially recognize journalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay whose body was never found, except for his dentures, as the 58th victim of the Ampatuans.</p>

The lawyers of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre asked the Court of Appeals on Monday to judicially recognize journalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay whose body was never found, except for his dentures, as the 58th victim of the Ampatuans.

Court of Appeals asked to recognize 58th victim of Maguindanao massacre

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Court of Appeals asked to recognize 58th victim of Maguindanao massacre

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 24, 2025 01:15 PM PHT

Read More:

Maguindanao massacre

CA

Court of Appeals

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.