YESTERDAY marked the ninth anniversary of what is considered to be the worst case of election-related violence and journalist killings in the country. The Maguindanao massacre left 58 civilians dead – 32 of them journalists, also making it the single deadliest attack against journalists. Of the 58, 15 were motorists who were just driving by and were unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Three mass graves were dug for the intended cover-up. About 188 suspects were accused including the primary suspect, Andal Ampatuan Jr. The Ampatuans were known allies of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Many of those charged were suspected private armies of the Ampatuans.
Nine years after the massacre, the climate that breeds impunity and aggravates human rights violations continue. The past Aquino administration promised to bring justice to the families of the victims but until its term ended, none came to fruition.
The brutality and brazenness of the Maguindanao massacre remains a vivid reminder of injustice and impunity in the country. It is a glaring indication that no matter how grave the crime, perpetrators can still escape accountability so long as they are rich and powerful. The Ampatuans remain in influential government positions, while the victims and their relatives have continuously clamored for justice.
In the course of bringing justice to the victims of the Maguindanao massacre, three State witnesses have been shot dead while four of the accused, including Andal Ampatuan Sr., already died. Twenty government security forces were expelled for conspiring with the Ampatuans and 11 were suspended for neglecting their duties to act on the incident. Meanwhile, 188 individuals have been identified as perpetrators. Of this number, 82 suspects remain at large.
It is a trademark of the country’s justice system to create a specter of accountability, only for it to die down after public attention wanes. It seems justice in this country can never be achieved without the consistent hounding of the victims and their families. Impunity appears to be the default.
On the ninth year of the Maguindanao massacre, we should all continue to demand for justice for the victims and their families. As massacres and other forms of gross rights violations continue, we must strengthen our demand for accountability. We must not be muted or cowed.
