Yesterday at about 9:00 am, marked a day that journalists the world over will never forget. An estimated 34 journalists died in the first incident of election related violence in Maguindanao in the Southern island of the Philippines. Allegedly perpetrated by the ruling clan, a convoy of journalists and family members of a rival clan were stopped on their way to file the certificate of candidacy by a force of paramilitary. They were brought to a hill and were summarily executed.
The ruling clan, the Ampatuan is closely connected to Pres. Gloria Arroyo. The Ampatuan clan was responsible for delivering votes for Arroyo in the presidential elections of 2004 and for the senatorial bets of her party in 2007. The Philippines ranks 2nd to Iraq as the most dangerous place for journalist considering the rising list of media practioners killed in the line of duty. The savagery of what happened yesterday was never seen in any part of the world.
Journalists live a life with one foot in the grave. The difference we have with Iraq is that the Philippines is not at war. The victims were not in a war zone, they were to report on a election related event. What infuriates me is how the government is addressing this. Instead of using the full force of the law, they treat the perpetrators as if they were heads of state. Law should be appleid equally regardless of political affiliation.
Clearly the journalists will once again be deprived of justice. You see, in the Philippines, journalists are considered pests as they expose the crimes of our officials. From harassment to outright assassination, every trick has been used to silence these people. I suppose these are the dangers the media has to face in a country like the Philippines. Fortunately, despite all the hazards of the trade, people still enter the field to keep us all informed.
I hope that justice will be served not only for the journalists in my country but to journalists all over the world.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:34 am
What happened in Maguindanao is really a sad, terrible thing. Let’s hope the government acts quickly on this, without bias; and may the victims and their families be given justice.
By the way, I’m Chuck, I stumbled upon your blog through entrecard. I am helping promote a startup blog dealing with generally the same topics as yours (pinoypolitiko.blogspot.com). May I know if you’d be interested on a link exchange? If you are please send me an email (eolliver1@gmail.com). We’d really appreciate it. Thank you.