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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Maguindanao Massacre and Sendong victims: Waiting for what?

23 February 2012

It was in the year 2009 (November 23) when 58 women, journalists, lawyers and civilians were mercilessly massacred and buried in the mass grave at Ampatuan, Maguindanao while in their convoy to file the candidacy of a challenger for gubernatorial post in the province. It has been recorded as the world worst election related violence and attack to press freedom.

Suspects from the prominent Ampatuan clan were already detained and some of the policemen while most of the auxiliary elements are still at large. It was then followed by the declaration of State of Emergency in Cotabato City and Maguindanao (not yet lifted) province ruled by General Raymundo Ferrer of the 6th ID at that time. But it only paved the way for escapes and hiding of the other perpetrators.

27 months have passed, some witnesses were killed, delaying tactics have been successfully executed by the highly-paid defense lawyers, tears flowed from the relatives and friends and frustrations of the slow process were also slowly felt. Then, justice is far from reach up to this date and almost people forgot maybe this tragic past (easy to forget?).

The massacre victims were buried gravely that might like the case (hope not).

Easy to Forget

More than two months ago, typhoon Sendong hit cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete followed by flooding and earthquake around the Philippines.

Sendong killed several thousands and buried also thousands while destroyed billions worth properties. Then, there was chasing after for logging operators in Lanao del Sur (that offended the Maranao, why they were singled out which is also a legitimate question) and saw mills were raided and closed but later on were opened.

Aside from the limitations of the government to implement the law they passed to manage risks and disasters, it seems that agencies were finger pointing who to blame and left with Sendong as the culprit. Digging deeper on the matter is must and might led us to blaming the loggers, the miners, the people living at the riversides and river banks, but it should not be left out that the government itself is encouraging mining and logging operations (Philippine Mining Act and Selective Log Ban Memorandum) to boast the economy (sorry, to praise big business supporters during and before elections).

Ondoy, Frank and Pepeng in the past really exposed how poor the Philippines is in disaster management and to add is how poor forest and environment protection mechanism we have.

Slow by slow, Sendong victims and survivors are forgotten. Sendong survivors prior to the typhoon were hit by the hurricanes and cyclones of economic and social injustices and now after Sendong the more they were left out.

Most of the masses around the world are experiencing massacre in different forms and levels. They were killed and buried into helplessness and deep mud greed and capitalism.

It is a must for us not to forget or else we will be buried and forgotten. Justice for the victims! Justice for the forgotten victims of injustices!

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