LET US REMEMBER THE MASSACRE
LET US REMEMBER THE MASSACRE
While RTC Quezon City Jude Jocelyn Solis-Reyes is taking a two-week vacation, let us refresh ourselves as to the updates in the ongoing Ampatuan Massacre Trial.
To remember the brutal massacre, watch these videos:
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| OUR LANGUAGE IS TRUTH, OUR SPIRIT IS LIBERTY |
From Dyaryo Magdalo, here is its story:
The
day the ‘untouchables’ died
By HERNZ Q. CUARE
The day the “untouchables” died on
November 23, 2009 in the town of Ampatuan, the world substantially changed in
the minds of Muslims and Christians in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan
Kudarat, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Saranggani, Lanao del Sur, Davao del
Sur, and elsewhere in the Philippines.
Before going further, let it be made
clear that there is no intention of trying to influence the ongoing “Ampatuan
Massacre Trial.”
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Some of the 33 journalists brutally killed in the town of Ampatuan, Maguindanao on November 23, 2009.
The first benefit that Filipinos got
from it is the inculcation of a new general idea in the minds of Christian
Filipinos in so far as Muslim Filipinos are concerned, and in the minds of
Muslim Filipinos in so far as Christian Filipinos are concerned.
This general idea is this: both
Christian and Muslim Filipinos can be united in a cause for justice against
criminals who belong to their tribes.
Yes, the passion for justice was
bolstered in unison among the Muslims not allied with the Ampatuans and the
Christians whose hearts were revolting to the most brutal-ever act of political
violence.
But along with this discovery of the
substantive meaning of justice came the realization of one more
equally-important reality, that those who used brutalities in murdering are in
effect killing themselves, too.
The 33 media persons massacred on
that most brutal episode in the life of the Filipino journalist were some of
the “untouchables” who died.
But on the very same day they died another
group of “untouchables” also died, the “untouchable” Ampatuans.
The honor, career and everything the
Ampatuan Empire so cherished also died. It was killed by the 33 persons they
killed, the journalists.
Henceforth,
it cannot be fathomed how they can get back their crown now being held by the
husband of one of the women they killed. They can never win anymore in any
gubernatorial election.
The brutal lesson here is BRUTALITY
BACKFIRES IN A MORE BRUTAL WAY.
It is premised then that if the
hands of time are turned back and the Ampatuans who are being pointed to as the
murderers are made to choose between two choices, to kill brutally or be killed
brutally, they will choose the latter.
Thus, the “kingdom” collapsed when
the 33 journalists were killed without mercy.
This is also what is seen by the eyes
of a husband of one of those who perished in the infamous Maguindanao massacre.
Policeman
Elliver Cablitas, the husband of Mindanao Focus columnist Maritess Cablitas who
was among those killed there, is so sure that if only his wife and other
reporters were not killed, the Ampatuans could have been still there lording
over all in sight.
In
his words, even if the entire population of a barangay of Mangudadatu families were
killed, it will only go to oblivion and the Ampatuans would still remain the
kings—of nothingness.
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| Toto Mangudadatu and wife Bai Eden during happier times |
With tears speaking, Elliver premised
that if there was one good thing that happened with the death of his wife, it
was that these martyrs also gave death to another group of “untouchables,” the
Ampatuans.
And if there was another thing that
is a priceless reward, it is the priceless freedom now enjoyed by the
Maguindanaoans, many of whom were said to have been murdered by means of
cutting bodies in half with the use of chainsaws in full view in public plazas
to give lessons to those who may have thoughts of fighting the clan.
So
proud of his wife, Elliver told Dr. Anacleto “Toto” B. Millendez, founder of
Beautiful Heart Foundation, Inc., that his belief is also the belief of another
“Toto”, who is now Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.
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| Gallery of photos of some of the victims of the massacre |
Elliver
recalled that Toto Mangudadatu was convinced that no one would touch the journalists
because they have been “untouchables” in Maguindanao, Mangudadatu invited them to accompany his men,
his wife, and his two sisters in filing his certificate of candidacy for
governor of Maguindanao on November 23, 2009.
But
they were wrong.
The
convoy were blocked on their way to Shariff Aguak, forcibly brought to a remote
place that no one would ever come, killed like shooting targets of chicken with
some heads blowing out, and buried in the most despicable way.
A
backhoe marked with letterings “Province of Maguindanao, Gov. Andal Ampatuan
Sr.” lifted the cadavers from where they slumped, poured them on two
excavations obviously prepared prior the abduction at the checkpoint, and
covered the bodies and their vehicles with the soil dug out from the same holes. For every layer of landfill, the backhoe
compacted the filling so that the vehicles would be flattened.
Elliver,
however, slightly blamed Mangudadatu for the death of his wife and 57 others.
But
he now chose to thank the high heaven for without the brutal event, the killings
in Maguindanao will never end.
The
most feared warlords of Maguindanao, Andal Ampatuan Sr., Zaldy Ampatuan and
Andal Ampatuan Jr., were pointed to as brains of the massacre.
The
Ampatuan clan has been pointed to countless of killings in Maguidanao for the
last 20 years.
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| Dayunyur Ampatuan behind bars |
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| Andal Sr. and Zaldy, all Ampatuans |
He
said the Ampatuans style of governance dubbed “Own the People” is now a history.
And
the gravest concern of Elliver now is the fact that the literal meaning of
justice will never come to him and his family even after ten (10) years,
pointing out the snail system in the country like the countless motions filed
by the lawyers of the Ampatuans. As this
was written, the judge handling the case, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes took a
two-week vacation.
If there is one
more thing, this is an argument in favor jury system of justice being advocated
by Hukuman ng Mamamayan Movement, Inc. (HMMI) being led by Berteni Toto Cataluña
Causing.
From Philippine Star, here is its latest news.
Judge takes two-week break from Ampatuan trial
By Perseus Echeminada The Philippine Star Updated September 11, 2011 12:00 AM 2 comments to this post
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