On the scale of the most dangerous place around, you probably would not even think of the Philippines, but if you work in the media, the country can be a murderous place to be a journalist.
The threat and danger that every journalist face can truly be seen when the violence against the media reached a dreadful peak in 2009. When 32 of the 34 journalists and 24 other victims were kidnapped and shot to death as part of a political blood feud, and it is not that the killings keep happening, but it is that the killers escaped prosecution.
Hence the Maguindanao Massacre, or also known as the Ampatuan Massacre, a case that was seen by many people as a test of integrity of the justice system here in the Philippines.
The Ampatuan clan, which had governed Maguindanao since 2001, allegedly orchestrated the murders of 58 people to stop a rival Muslim clan from running for the provincial governorship. The 58 victims were on their way to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, who were challenging Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, in gubernational election for the 2010 national elections. Esmael was not present during the massacre because the plan was to let his relatives, together with some journalists to file his certificate of candidacy, believing that it were safer that way because of the threat he got from the Ampatuan Clan to stop his candidacy.
The people killed included Mangudadatu’s pregnant wife, his two sisters, lawyers, aides, and motorists who were witnesses or mistaken as part of the convoy. The bodies were found in shallow pits, and witnesses who testified said that the victims were gunned down mostly by Andal Ampatuan Jr.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) considered the Maguindanao Massacre the single deadliest event for journalists in history. The CPJ also labeled the Philippines as the second most dangerous country for journalists, second only to Iraq.
Esmael Mangudadatu organized a group of women led by his wife, Genalyn; elder sister, Eden Mangudadatu; their youngest, Bai Farinna Mangudadatu and lawyers Cynthia Oquendo-Ayon and Connie Brizuela after the said Ampatuans had threatened to chop him into pieces once he filed his COC with Comelec. According to him, he taught that nothing would happen because under tradition, Muslim women are being respected. They should not be harmed just like innocent children and elders.
Esmael requested for security escorts from Chief Superintendent Paisal Umpa, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police regional director, because of the threat he had from the Ampatuans, but his request was turned down, as well as his request to the Philippine Army. Therefore, he invited journalists from the cities of General Santos, Tacurong and Koronadal, thinking that they will not be harmed if the journalists are watching.
Five members of the clan were sentenced to life prison, including brothers Andal Ampatuan Jr. and Zaldy Ampatuan, while the third brother was acquitted. The Ampatuan denies all charges. Other suspects, who were ordered to carry out the killings received sentences between 6 to 10 years in prison, and about 80 other suspects remain at large including police officers and Ampatuan clan members. Many accused police officers were acquitted.
After numerous documentaries, more than 300 witnesses, at least four killed witnesses before they could testify, and 10 years in court, the so-called trial of the decade ended. Even if the verdict is not really a satisfying outcome, some people were still ecstatic because even if it is a partial justice, it is victory, nonetheless. A rare triumph for accountability in a country notorious for impunity and where politicians and warlords can get away with anything, including murder.
In conclusion to the 10-year trial of the Maguindanao Massacre, it just shows how easily can those with power escape the wrong doings they make. Some military and police cannot be trusted in dismantling politicians’ illegal forces, instead they continue to participate in them just to have power. As long they are doing this, journalists and ordinary citizens will always be at risk.
It should not take another crime as horrendous as the Maguindanao Massacre for the Philippines to reform the delivery of justice. Real reforms demand police and those of power to respect every persons right and uphold and demonstrate the justice that everyone wants and deserve.
After the gruesome death of 32 journalists that set a record as the world's single deadliest event for journalists in history, we can agree that those journalists who died on the Maguindanao Massacre reminds us of the free press and the threat that exist to it around the world. They are all proud journalists who honored us in their sacrifices they made in search of the truth.
References:
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/18/asia/philippines-maguindanao-massacre-verdict-intl-hnk/index.html
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