A daughter of an alleged victim of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre has urged the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to allow the public screening of the movie 58th in the Philippines.
In a Facebook post on August 17, Ma. Reynafe “Nenen” Momay-Castillo, daughter of missing photojournalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay of Midland Review, said the lawyers who watched the film told them that they did not see a sub judice issue in it.
“The film does not try to decide what belongs in the courtroom, nor was it made to influence any pending legal matter. That was never the purpose of 58th,” she said.
A case to “judicially recognize” Momay as the 58th victim in the Maguindanao massacre has been pending before the Court of Appeals. His remains have never been found. But authorities recovered his dentures and photography gear.
Castillo said the film is about what happened to the people left behind.
“It is about families who waited for someone who never came home. It is about the pain of searching, the passing of years, and somehow finding the strength to wake up each morning and continue living. For me, this is deeply personal,” she said.
“So, with all humility and respect, I ask the MTRCB: Please give 58th the chance to be seen by the Filipino people. Let our story be heard. Let our loved ones be remembered. And let something that came from so much pain become something that can inspire others not to give up. That is all we are asking,” Castillo said.
Momay was supposedly the 58th victim who perished on November 23, 2009, when 32 journalists, family members, and supporters were murdered when they joined the convoy for Esmael Mangudadatu to file his certificate of candidacy against Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
Ampatuan brothers Datu Andal and Zaldy Ampatuan and 28 others were convicted for the deaths of the 57 individuals.
