A year after the massacre of 57 people, among them 32 journalists, in the Phillipines province of Maguindanao, justice has yet to be fully served.

The killings are alleged to have constituted part of a suspected plot orchestrated by the powerful Ampatuan clan to prevent a rival’s attempt to gain political power. The clan had governed Maguindanao since 2001 and was close allies with then President Gloria Arroyo. She allegedly supplied the family’s private militia of up to 5,000 men as a force against Muslim separatist rebels.  She has since renounced this political alliance.

The victims were on their way to file a certificate of candidacy for gubernatorial candidate and Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, who was running against Andal Ampatuan Jr, son of the Maguindanao governor and clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan, Sr., when they were intercepted by at least 100 gunmen about ten kilometers from their destination, Shariff Aguak. Among the 57 people abducted and murdered were Mangudadatu’s wife and sisters. Police found the dead bodies in shallow graves close to a checkpoint in the town of Ampatuan.

One year later, delays in the trial persist. Testimonies heard so far have pointed to the Ampatuan clan and its private militia as the perpetrators of the massacre. Andal Ampatuan Jr. is accused of personally killing at least 40 of the victims. Six clan leaders have been charged, including Ampatuan Sr., but among the clan leaders only Ampatuan Jr. has been arraigned. He has pleaded not guilty.

Of a total of 196 individuals accused in the mass murder case, 50 have been arraigned and have pleaded not guilty. Around 60 of the accused are being held at the high-security Metro Manila District Jail, and over 100 Ampatuan militiamen are in hiding.

Approximately 700 people are expected to give evidence.

Although Judge Jocelyn Reyes has ordered two hearings a week beginning in December, with so many witnesses scheduled to testify, the trial it is likely to be a painfully slow process.

In addition, families of victims have allegedly been offered bribes in the hopes that they will not testify, and at least one key witness has been shot dead: Suwaib Upham, a member of the disbanded Ampatuan militia who allegedly participated in the massacre. The witness reportedly failed to receive adequate protection from the justice department after agreeing to testify against the Ampatuan clan.

The uncle of another witness was also shot and killed, in an apparent attempt to intimidate those testifying against the clan.

IPI Press Freedom Manager Anthony Mills said: “IPI is concerned at the slow pace at which the trial is unfolding and at the clear intimidation of witnesses. The families of all of those slain – including the 32 journalists – deserve justice. Unfortunately, in the Pilippines, the perpetrators of political violence are often able to act with impunity.”