Justice for Maguindanao Massacre victims

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Maguindanao Massacre: The Quest for Justice

• Justice for Maguindanao Massacre victims
• Courage in (High) Heels
• Reliving the Maguindanao Massacre over and over again

Last Updated: December 5, 2009 - Saturday

An international media watchdog considers Monday's carnage the worst of its kind as it "appears to be the single deadliest event for the press since 1992, when CPJ began keeping detailed records on journalist deaths". It has earned us the shameful title of being the "most dangerous place in the world for journalists". It is also the most gruesome and violent display of pre-elections violence in recent memory -- even overshadowing the many human rights violations in the time of martial law under former president Ferdinand Marcos.

Outside of Maguindanao, it is known as the Ampatuan Massacre. Within the area where it all happened however, it is but another usual occurence chalked up to elections violence. The only difference this time is the huge number of victims in one go. Other than that, it's "just politics as usual" in Mindanao.

We are no stranger to heinous crimes nor to elections violence. We in greater Manila, however are new to such display of brazenness. It is actually what appalls us all. The utter display of disregard for the law is indescribable. The crime has been carried out not in the dark of night or in the deepest unexplored forest. It has been done in broad daylight.

As of last count, 64 people have been found dead, including those unearthed from three separate makeshift graves within kilometers of each other. And as if shooting them at close range isn't brutal enough, most of the victims were mutilated. Faces and bodies were unrecognizable after they were bashed in the head, some pierced in the eye, private parts and the rest of their bodies riddled with bullets. The work of the devil? That and far worse.

Crimes such as these, committed to unsuspecting victims, media people, lawyers, women and common folks - even to unwitting motorists who were swept in the convoy on that fateful Monday morning are beyond appalling. These people were unarmed. Shot mercilessly without the slightest provocation. Even the devil himself will probably shiver in fright at the sight of such a carnage.

I join my fellow bloggers and the rest of the private citizenry in condemning these acts which are no less barbaric by medieval or modern standards. There is no place -- not even in hell for monsters of this kind. If there is any reason to bring back the death penalty -- this is definitely it. If there is any one deserving to die a thousand deaths -- it is each and every one of those who participated in this crime.

Justice must be served hard and swift. Those responsible must be castigated and receive the full strength of the law. The victims deserve no less. This government must do nothing less. Or are we waiting for a more shameful title? Or more bloodshed?

Update: November 26, 2009 - Thursday

Alleged mastermind Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. has turned himself in. Says a witness that recently surfaced, they were only following orders from Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. Ampatuan has been formally charged with multiple murder before the Department of Justice over Monday's slaughter of at least 57 people in Maguindanao. Ampatuan Jr. however claims he is innocent. As of 8:00pm he is being escorted to the National Bureau of Investigation where he will be taken into custody. DOJ's Devanadera says result of investigation will be out in 36 hours.

Update: November 28, 2009 - Saturday

From "in custody" to "missing" to "dead"

Friday's morning paper (The Philippine Star) reported that the backhoe operator is already in custody of the PNP (Philippine National Police) but they can't name him yet to protect the investigation. And also because the man invited for questioning did not fit the description of the backhoe operator. Oops.

Friday evening, the online report on my feed reader says that the backhoe operator has been identified as Hanid Delayudin but is said to be missing.

Saturday morning, I read an update that the backhoe operator is now presumed to be dead.

What does all this tell us? Incompetence. May natutulog sa pansitan! (Someone is sleeping on the job!). If they can't find an ordinary government backhoe operator, how can you expect them to jail government-made VIPs?

This country is going to the dogs monsters.

Update: December 5, 2009 - Saturday

Arroyo declares Martial Law in Maguindanao

It may have been presumed and reported too soon but it only took hours for the inevitable official declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao to happen. Hours even before the official declaration took effect, two more Ampatuans -- former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan, Jr (father of now detained prime suspect Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr.) and ARMM governor Zaldy Ampatuan (suspect's older brother) have both been arrested. This came after a tense seizure / search operation that happened in the mansion of incumbent (acting) governor Sajid Islam Ampatuan where a secret vault containing arms and munitions were found. Before this, light artillery said to be enough to power 2 battalions of the AFP were dug up in a lot near the Ampatuan mansion -- the informer also confirmed that some weapons buried there were used in the gruesome massacre of 57 (unofficial count is 64) people including Mangudadatus, their supporters, journalists and even civilians not part of the convoy stopped and abducted by more than 100 armed men said to be part of Ampatuans private army. This further fuels allegations of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that the AFP are allegedly the ones feeding the armed rebellion and violence in Mindanao through illegal trading of arms -- the very accusations he say prompted him and others to stage the so-called Oakwood Mutiny which skyrocketed his campaign straight to the Senate.

In another news, Gloria Arroyo appeals for unity and peace amid calls for her resignation (after filing her COC for the 2nd district of Pampanga). Her new declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao to avert more lawlessness and speed up the delivery of justice to the victims of the Ampatuan massacre is getting mixed reactions from everywhere.

This time, I'd have to side with her. This is actually something she should have done in Maguindanao long ago. Desperate situations call for desperate measures -- and if 57 (or 64) people dead in one go through a heinous crime tantamount to terrorism doesn't warrant Martial Law, I don't know what one does.

Suggested Further Reading:

• Reliving the Maguindanao Massacre over and over again
• Courage in (High) Heels
• Gibo is on a roll. But is he getting anywhere?
• Mutations
• Told You So, Sulpicio Lines…

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