Maguindanao Massacre

By George M. De La Cruz


MANILA -- The death toll in Maguindanao massacre is now 52 but the people, especially the media organizations, continued their crusade fighting for justice against the brutal slaying of journalists.

The Alliance of Media Advocates, an emerging association of media persons advocating for reproductive health and human development all over the country, strongly condemned in the strongest possible terms Wednesday the brutal murder of hardworking media persons in Maguindanao.

This in sympathy with the Sultan Kudarat Media Group led by its president Benjie Caballero, a relative of Buluan town Vice Mayor Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu whose wife Genalyn "Gigi" Mangudadatu was massacred together with 51 others, including several journalists.

Caballerio is among the 87-delegate journalist in the two-day National Population Congress that capped Wednesday in Manila Hotel.

He is supposed to be in Maguindanao together with Venjie Rex Firmalino, program supervisor of dxKI, Femma Joy Dalumpines, news writer and announcer of dxGM to cover for the filing of certificate of candidacy of Mangudadatu whose wife Gigi filed for the latter's better half.

Mangudadatu is running for governor and an ally of President Arroyo. He was former town mayor, said Dalumpines, the sister of Manday Kim (Ismael), Gigi's brother-in-law.

On the other hand, Caballero writes for Midland Review and Notredame Broadsheet in Kidapawan City.

He said the vice mayor and family had been so kind with the people and well-loved by his constituents.

Tama believes the massacre of a dozen or so journalists, the worst so far in Philippine history, was an attack against freedom of expression and human rights in a democratic society.

The group called on well-meaning citizens and fellow journalists in the country to join hands in condemning the senseless, heinous and barbaric act.

Further, it strongly demanded the National Government to bring the perpetrators before the bar of justice, without fear of retreat or favor for the preservation of peace, freedom, and democracy.

Meanwhile, a resolution was passed also condemning the massacre in Maguindanao and the killing of journalists.

Resolution author Board member Patrick Lacson who chairs committee on human rights said: "My resolution will serve as a constant reminder to us Negrenses, that we remain peaceful, democratic and God fearing. May the Negrenses continue to be vigilant in defending the rights of citizens, and fight for freedom always."

Lacson scored that there is no apparent concrete government action more than 24 hours after the massacre occurred.

The massacre is unprecedented since it was the earliest election-related violence and the worst loss of lives in one day in the history of journalism, he said.

"Never in the history of journalism has the news media suffered such heavy loss of lives in one day," he stressed.

Meanwhile the province has provided transportation assistance to four of the Negrense victims' relatives who will travel to Maguindanao province Thursday.



Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on November 26, 2009.