After being champions and heroes, now we're barbarians

All Filipinos were still basking in the historic victory of Manny Pacquiao over Miguel Cotto when another good news came with “pushcart” educator Efren Peñaflorida being named as the 2009 “CNN Hero of the Year.” But even before we could fully enjoy the world’s admiration and accolade for these two Filipinos who have given this country so much honor and pride, now comes   this shocking massacre in Maguindanao where at least 46 people – including women and journalists – were brutally murdered. 

In an instant, the whole world saw how the convoy of a politician’s wife on their way to file his certificate of candidacy, accompanied by lawyers and members of the local media covering the event, were abducted by 100 armed men, slaughtered like animals and buried in hastily-dug graves. This singularly barbaric act has placed the Philippines under the glare of international condemnation, with media outfits like CNN, BBC, the New York Times and Bloomberg carrying the story.

Even the Arab News made the Maguindanao carnage the topic of its Nov. 25 editorial, saying that the crime is “a sad commentary that assassinations and violent clan feuds have become such a part of political life that it is only the sheer scale and barbarity of this attack which has produced such shock and anger among Filipinos.” The European Union, the United Nations, diplomats – all have expressed their shock and outrage at the barbarity displayed by the perpetrators of this ignominious crime.

For several decades now, clan feuds, known in local parlance as “rido,” has exacerbated the ongoing conflict in Mindanao. Among the causes of rido include land ownership, matrimonial conflict and the struggle for political control. These conflicts can become long-standing wars, with assassinations and murders used for retaliation – especially when both factions are politically well-entrenched. It’s a well-known fact that gun running and gun smuggling is an everyday occurrence in Mindanao. High-powered firearms can easily be brought in, and this is one of the reasons why Mindanao is considered a “no man’s land.”

Even then, women and children were traditionally spared – but last Monday’s slaughter shows that the rules have changed and the players have become even more barbaric. What makes it worse is that the accompanying journalists were not spared, sending shock waves to both the local and international media community. The International Press Institute condemned the incident as a “senseless slaughter,” declaring it as the worst ever episode with the most number of journalists killed in a single instance. A Filipino “first” – but for the most horrific reason.

And herein lies the sad story of this country: Just when the Filipino spirit is up – something happens to bring it crashing down. Prior to the massacre, the Philippines was ranked as the fourth deadliest country for journalists after Somalia, Iraq and Pakistan. But now, we will become number one again and will most likely make it to the Guinness World Records – but for a most shameful distinction.

There are many stories about the Ampatuans and how they have been lording it over in Maguindanao for so long, feared for their political clout and firepower. So much so that even members of the police and military are said to be helpless against them. A source told me that during one of the hotly contested local elections more than a decade ago, a company of soldiers were deployed to Shariff Aguak to monitor the conduct of the elections. An Ampatuan emissary tried to bribe the military officer to leave his post and when the latter refused, he and his men were bombed with mortars. Several soldiers died, and the officer still carries “souvenirs” of the attack on his leg.

Initial reports pinpoint the Ampatuans as the culprits in the massacre, and if it becomes absolutely certain that they are guilty, then the administration should amputate the Ampatuans’ power and influence in Maguindanao. This incident is destroying the image of the country before the entire world. Why should a band of 500 animals be allowed to bring down the spirit of all 91 million Filipinos? This is – to put it simply – totally unacceptable. Everyone knows there are virtually no elections in that part of Mindanao, as voters are prevented from casting their ballots through sheer intimidation and terror. For so long, these warlords have been literally getting away with murder. The time has come to put a stop to this. Everyone is watching what the administration will do – and GMA must show that justice will not be sacrificed for the sake of political expediency.

If these barbarians can do this to journalists and members of a powerful political clan, what chance does an ordinary man have if they provoke the ire or displeasure of these warlords? Davao residents have every reason to fear that the killings could spill over to their city since clan members of both the Ampatuans and Mangudadatus live in Davao, and if the aggrieved party feels that justice is not being served, what’s to stop them from trying to put the law into their hands? After all, they have the wherewithal and certainly, the firepower to do so. God forbid that that should happen, because this could start a bloody tribal war worse than what’s happening in some parts of Africa.

Which is why all media groups should remain vigilant and not allow this bloody incident to go by without the perpetrators being brought to justice. So people will not forget, media should start a countdown to monitor the days it will take the government to get the criminals and bring justice to the victims and their families. Speaker Prospero Nograles is correct: Malacañang should drop all political considerations. What happened is plain and simple cold-blooded murder that should transcend political alliances. Government should go after the guilty no matter who they are. If this case goes unsolved and the perpetrators remain unpunished, this will be the beginning of the end of any semblance of law and order in this country.

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