Victims of Ozamis ship blast still cry for justice

OZAMIS CITY — Three years after the M/V Our Lady of Mediatrix was bombed here by suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, the victims are still crying for justice.

The incident, which left 39 people killed, 41 wounded and 12 missing, is a tragic episode in this city.

On Feb. 25, 2000, as M/V Our Lady of Mediatrix was about to dock at the wharf, two incendiary bombs hidden in two passenger buses on board the ferry exploded.

"While the sad memories are hard to erase, we can only seek comfort and accept the fate of our loved ones when justice is finally served," said Teofilo Wagas, a government retiree who lost his daughter Linda Cui and a grandson.

The military has named at least 12 suspects in the bombing, including three top MILF commanders in Lanao del Norte.

However, only two of the MILF suspects — Allan Taratanto Saumay and Amanodin Dimalna — were arrested and brought to trial, while the rest, including the principal suspects — the Tomarompong brothers — remain at large.

The trial itself was postponed several times due to the absence of witnesses. Of the 17 witnesses who had executed sworn statements, only three appeared before the Regional Trial Court here.

The prosecutors also failed to establish if Saumay’s middle name is Tomarompong, which is vital to link him to the Tomarompong brothers who are MILF rebels.

Ozamis City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog said he is hoping justice will be rendered and that authorities have learned from the past and could prevent similar dastardly acts in the future.

Prosecutor Isabello Villanueva said the case would prosper only if the suspects who remain at large are apprehended. There is, however, no indication that the case is heading in that direction.