“The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it” – Albert Einstein
Four years have passed and yet the second deadliest killing of media practitioners in history that take away the life of 58 individuals, 32 of which are media practitioners, still cries for justice.
None of those charged and suspect has been convicted. Maguindanao Massacre is not just about justice pursuit but also a challenge to the judicial system in our country.
Politics which is pointed out as the primary root of this tragedy is a culture in the country. The Philippines politics is next to hell at its finest. Local politicians from all the branches of the Philippine Government are being accused of corruption, anomaly and all forms of illegal act that benefits their own pocket making them richer than the people they supposed to serve.
None of those charged and suspect has been convicted. Maguindanao Massacre is not just about justice pursuit but also a challenge to the judicial system in our country.
Politics which is pointed out as the primary root of this tragedy is a culture in the country. The Philippines politics is next to hell at its finest. Local politicians from all the branches of the Philippine Government are being accused of corruption, anomaly and all forms of illegal act that benefits their own pocket making them richer than the people they supposed to serve.
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was an ally of the Ampatuan clan, in the 2006 presidential election; she topped her co-candidate Fernando Poe Jr. along with her administration ticket.
In a report from Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) in 2004, Muslim Mindanao votes were indeed crucial to Arroyo’s winning margin as the region accounted for close to 300,000 of the lead. In fact, 17 percent of Arroyo’s total votes obtained in Mindanao came from ARMM. In seven towns ruled by the pro-Arroyo Ampatuan clan, Arroyo won over Poe by an incredible vote ratio of 82,411 to 142 (or 99.83 percent to 0.17 percent). In two towns, Arroyo garnered all the votes, with Poe getting zero.
When the Maguindanao Massacre news burst globally, Arroyo administration declared Martial Law in the province of Maguindanao to arrest without warrant the members of the Ampatuan clans linked to the tremendous massacre.
In a report from Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) in 2004, Muslim Mindanao votes were indeed crucial to Arroyo’s winning margin as the region accounted for close to 300,000 of the lead. In fact, 17 percent of Arroyo’s total votes obtained in Mindanao came from ARMM. In seven towns ruled by the pro-Arroyo Ampatuan clan, Arroyo won over Poe by an incredible vote ratio of 82,411 to 142 (or 99.83 percent to 0.17 percent). In two towns, Arroyo garnered all the votes, with Poe getting zero.
When the Maguindanao Massacre news burst globally, Arroyo administration declared Martial Law in the province of Maguindanao to arrest without warrant the members of the Ampatuan clans linked to the tremendous massacre.
A total of six Ampatuans have been arrested, including another son of the Maguindanao governor, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., who has been charged with 25 counts of murder for the massacre, Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, Maguindanao Vice-Governor Akmad Ampatuan Sr., Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar Ampatuan, and Cahoner Ampatuan, a Sangguniang Bayan member of Shariff Aguak.
On the present administration of Noynoy Aquino, he is been accused of lack of effort in serving the justice to the victims of the Maguindanao massacre. And on his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) he did not promise that he would punish the perpetrators, and so on with the next year.
Earlier this year, through her Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima , she declared that the persecution of the case would be finish in the term of Aquino, in 2016.
While the whole world is waiting for the decision of the so called trial of the century, on Noynoy’s 40 months in office according to PCIJ, from July 2010 to October 2013, at least 23 journalists were killed, among them 16 radio broadcasters and seven print journalists.
New administration, same problem and same government system, the only difference is the people who are sitting in their respective offices. The Maguindanao Massacre that happened during the Arroyo’s administration must be inherited by the current administration in terms of finding justice as fast as possible, on his campaign slogan he urged the “daan na matuwid”, the country is going there as our economic is steady and growing up, but the problems and concerns during the past administration must be exempted from any political issue, and one of it is the absolute justice for the victims of the 11:23 massacre.
Maguindanao massacre happened because of politics, our dirty system of politics wherein, those who are sitting on city halls and capitol don’t want to descend from their positions because of their greediness to power and money.
The families of the victims are now demanding compensation from the government, Naomi Parcon of the widow said, “We believe that the government should pay us the compensation because the rights of our loved ones had been violated,”
Parcon also said their proposal for livelihood programs had been ignored by President Aquino.
Earlier this year, through her Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima , she declared that the persecution of the case would be finish in the term of Aquino, in 2016.
While the whole world is waiting for the decision of the so called trial of the century, on Noynoy’s 40 months in office according to PCIJ, from July 2010 to October 2013, at least 23 journalists were killed, among them 16 radio broadcasters and seven print journalists.
New administration, same problem and same government system, the only difference is the people who are sitting in their respective offices. The Maguindanao Massacre that happened during the Arroyo’s administration must be inherited by the current administration in terms of finding justice as fast as possible, on his campaign slogan he urged the “daan na matuwid”, the country is going there as our economic is steady and growing up, but the problems and concerns during the past administration must be exempted from any political issue, and one of it is the absolute justice for the victims of the 11:23 massacre.
Maguindanao massacre happened because of politics, our dirty system of politics wherein, those who are sitting on city halls and capitol don’t want to descend from their positions because of their greediness to power and money.
The families of the victims are now demanding compensation from the government, Naomi Parcon of the widow said, “We believe that the government should pay us the compensation because the rights of our loved ones had been violated,”
Parcon also said their proposal for livelihood programs had been ignored by President Aquino.
