Located along an abandoned hillside area Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province, numerous victims were found scattered on the area and others were buried in three different graves. Upon investigation, they used M-16 rifles to take the life of these victims. Andal Ampatuan Jr., former mayor of the Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao is said to be the principal suspect behind the outrageous killing of people.
To date, there are 58 victims of the callous Ampatuan family and out of that number there were at least 34 journalists who got killed while doing their job.
Unsafe and unprotected
"Atrocious record for journalists' safety." - Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ). It is indeed risky for the journalist and media staff to work in such place, our country.
According to the record, since year 2001 there are around 103 killings of media people in the Philippines and mostly, these are what we call the diminutive or independent journalist. They are the ones who are underpaid and asked to do hazardous coverage.
"Journalists working in small towns and cities are the most vulnerable, having little or no access to support groups, training and legal assistance. These journalists are often targeted by powerful clans, politicians or individuals stung by probing and critical stories. Others are caught in a deadly cross-fire between warring groups," - Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (Pecojon) and Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD).
A year after
The whole nation comes as one to remember the inhumane Maguindanao massacre. Different media organization, human rights groups, plus the family of the victims joined forces to pay tribute to the victims of the massacre. They had a motorcade from General Santos City to Sitio Masalay in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao to revive the trail of the last mission of the victims before they were killed.
“Retracing the steps of the convoy is not only a way to pay tribute to the victims, but to be able to understand how the killings were carried out by the same people who were supposed to protect them,” said Rowena Paraan of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).
The church also participated with this commemoration by having the church bells ring fo58 seconds, giving one second church bell for each victim.
The government did its share through President Benigno Aquino III as he declared November 23, 2010 a National Day of Remembrance and through the National Police who are on alert to the possibilities that can happen that day. As Senior Superintendent Marcelo Pintac quoted “Three hundred sixty degrees ang security namin dito sa area at lahat ng available na battalion ng Army, nag-coordinate na kami para masigurong safe itong lugar”. They assure that nothing ruthless as such Maguindanao massacre will happen again.
Concerts, conferences and ads are made to serve as an eye opener to the public and give them a view of what’s happening around us. “It’s also a way to raise public awareness on the issue and let the people know that things like this would continue to happen if we don’t do anything about it.” – Rowena Paraan (NUJP)
Call for justice
“The case of the Maguindanao massacre is a major test for the executive and the judiciary. Considering the gravity of the crime and the threat it posed to institutions like the media, not to mention the existence of overwhelming evidence that point to the involvement of the Ampatuans, a year has passed and victims continue to seek justice,” – Gen. Renato Reyes Jr. (Bayan Secretary).
The people has spoken, we don’t need another Pacquiao match, another death of an icon or worse another massacre for us to see the value of justice and unity in our nation. We have to work hand in hand to accomplish the goals that we want to stand for as President Aquino calls for the Filipino people to be united and to be as one.
References:
- The Ampatuan Massacre: a map and timeline by Analyn Perez and TJ Dimacali (GMANews. TV)
- Bayan to join march to commemorate Maguindanao massacre by Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com)
- De Lima links Maguindanao blast to massacre commemoration by Fidelis Angela Tan
- Journalists commemorate Maguindanao massacre (Sun.Star Network Online) - PNP assures security for Maguindanao massacre commemoration by Jorge V. Cariño (ABS-CBN News)
The whole nation comes as one to remember the inhumane Maguindanao massacre. Different media organization, human rights groups, plus the family of the victims joined forces to pay tribute to the victims of the massacre. They had a motorcade from General Santos City to Sitio Masalay in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao to revive the trail of the last mission of the victims before they were killed.
“Retracing the steps of the convoy is not only a way to pay tribute to the victims, but to be able to understand how the killings were carried out by the same people who were supposed to protect them,” said Rowena Paraan of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).
The church also participated with this commemoration by having the church bells ring fo58 seconds, giving one second church bell for each victim.
The government did its share through President Benigno Aquino III as he declared November 23, 2010 a National Day of Remembrance and through the National Police who are on alert to the possibilities that can happen that day. As Senior Superintendent Marcelo Pintac quoted “Three hundred sixty degrees ang security namin dito sa area at lahat ng available na battalion ng Army, nag-coordinate na kami para masigurong safe itong lugar”. They assure that nothing ruthless as such Maguindanao massacre will happen again.
Concerts, conferences and ads are made to serve as an eye opener to the public and give them a view of what’s happening around us. “It’s also a way to raise public awareness on the issue and let the people know that things like this would continue to happen if we don’t do anything about it.” – Rowena Paraan (NUJP)
Call for justice
“The case of the Maguindanao massacre is a major test for the executive and the judiciary. Considering the gravity of the crime and the threat it posed to institutions like the media, not to mention the existence of overwhelming evidence that point to the involvement of the Ampatuans, a year has passed and victims continue to seek justice,” – Gen. Renato Reyes Jr. (Bayan Secretary).
The people has spoken, we don’t need another Pacquiao match, another death of an icon or worse another massacre for us to see the value of justice and unity in our nation. We have to work hand in hand to accomplish the goals that we want to stand for as President Aquino calls for the Filipino people to be united and to be as one.
References:
- The Ampatuan Massacre: a map and timeline by Analyn Perez and TJ Dimacali (GMANews. TV)
- Bayan to join march to commemorate Maguindanao massacre by Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com)
- De Lima links Maguindanao blast to massacre commemoration by Fidelis Angela Tan
- Journalists commemorate Maguindanao massacre (Sun.Star Network Online) - PNP assures security for Maguindanao massacre commemoration by Jorge V. Cariño (ABS-CBN News)
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