TODAY,
we mourn the passing away of yet another year as justice remains
elusive to the victims of the infamous Ampatuan Massacre.
Three
years ago, 58 individuals—32 of whom were journalists and media
workers—were brutally waylaid in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao
province, in the worst election-related violence ever in the history
of our republic.
Three
years after, 96 of the 196 accused of taking part in the massacre,
are still at-large. Until now, the case is virtually locked in a
limbo of motions and bail hearings. While the case has dragged on at
a snail's pace, suspicious-looking characters—riding in tandem—have
been reportedly hounding some of the more outspoken relatives of the
massacre victims.
Three
years is too long a time and justice that is THIS delayed is justice
DENIED.
It
is bad enough that the massacre earned us the international poster
cover for impunity. The International Freedom of Expression Exchange
Network (IFEX)—a federation of 90 independent organizations
worldwide advocating freedom of expression—has declared, every 23rd
of November, as the International Day to End Impunity.
We
condemn the downright insensitive remark of Malacañan Palace
downplaying the unabated human rights violations as “leftist
propaganda.” There is something seriously amiss when witnesses and
complainants of human rights violations are harassed and hunted down
faster than government could arrest the suspects.
Today,
we also mourn the death of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill in
the 15th Congress. By letting FOI Bill die, it is now
crystal clear to Mr. Aquino's “Boss” that his now lame campaign
slogan: Matuwid na daan, is actually as crooked as a traditional
politician.
Justice
for the victims of the Ampatuan Massacre and the continuing reign of
the culture of impunity!
Uphold
the freedom of expression and of the press!
End
Impunity Now!
Reference:
Cong
B. Corrales
Chapter
Vice Chair
NUJP
CdO
0935.909.8033
nujp.cdo@gmail.com
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