Strike against Impunity, Strike for Peace and Democracy

STRIKE AGAINST IMPUNITY, STRIKE FOR PEACE AND DEMOCRACY

Today we say, Enough.

The massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao goes beyond a rido or clan war. The sheer scope of barbarity, the brazenness of the murders betrays the perpetrators belief in being beyond the reach of the law.

Women, lawyers and journalists no one escaped the butchers wrath. Fifty-seven people killed in broad daylight. The murderers had planned the deed, down to the mass burial of victims. That is the mark of the untouchable.

The Ampatuan massacre not only highlights the capacity for abuse by a political clan that has acted as ruler, judge, jury and executioner in its feudal turf; it is the graphic proof that State forces actually abet crime and protect criminals who provide favors for government officials.

Amid the outrage, even as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo placed Maguindanao in a state of emergency, the government tried to downplay the role of the Ampatuan clan in the massacre.

Filipinos have been jailed, tortured and killed for petty crimes and for exercising their right to peaceful dissent. Yet PNP officials displayed an abject reluctance to even name the Ampatuans as suspects. President Arroyo even issued a public reaffirmation of her friendship with the Ampatuans. And for good reason.

The Ampatuans, feudal rulers of Maguindanao, gifted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with unbelievable margins of victory in the 2004 polls. They delivered the same service for her allies in 2007 election. They provide food and money for the military and para-military forces. They command a proxy army in the fight against secessionist rebels.

The Ampatuans and other warlords across the country have been doing these for a succession of administrations. Philippine leaders like to boast of our democracy. What confront us are images of a failed State, where institutions are unable to exercise mandated functions, and the central government cedes substantial power to warlords who maintain private armies, which include civilian volunteers.

The cozy ties between central government and local warlords blanket the Philippine countryside with a climate of fear born of a culture of impunity. While this is a long-standing problem, it has reached monstrous proportions under the Arroyo administration, which has spent the nine years devouring the very bases of public power in its relentless effort to privatize that power as the public monies.

We have had enough.

We demand the arrest and prosecution of all persons involved in the Ampatuan massacre, especially the masterminds. We demand the immediate suspension from office of all persons linked to the crime.

We demand the immediate arrest of all police and military officials who, by commission or omission, allowed the massacre to happen. We demand full punishment for all officers that tried to coddle the perpetrators of this massacre.

We demand the creation of an independent commission, to include media representatives, to probe the massacre and the events that led to it.

We demand that a special court with a presiding judge of impeccable credentials undertake the trial of the suspects in the Ampatuan massacre.

We demand that media access be guaranteed in all stages and processes of the investigation and prosecution.

We demand full and immediate coverage of victims families and witnesses in the witness protection program.

We demand the immediate dismantling and disarmament of para-military forces nationwide as they have long been used as private armies of local warlords.

We demand the creation of an independent body composed of impartial persons of the highest integrity to oversee the disarming of para-military forces and the disposition of their arms.

We also demand an overhaul of a justice system that rewards criminals and tramples on the innocent.

We, the undersigned concerned Filipino individuals and organizations vow to hold a national protest to demand meaningful action from this administration. If government is unwilling to govern, IT MUST STEP DOWN. Only when the culture of impunity has been defeated can this nation proceed with the task of building peace and democracy in the Philippines.

(FIRST SIGNATORIES)

Nestor P. Burgos Jr.

Chairman, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)

Inday Espina-Varona, former chair NUJP; editor in chief Philippine Graphic

Joel Salud, managing editor Philippine Graphic

Alma Anonas, associate editor Philippine Graphic

Malu Cadelina Manar, chapter chair, Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation (NDBC), Kidapawan City

Jimmy Sta. Cruz, NDBC, Kidapawan City

Carlo Agamon, NDBC, Kidapawan City

Benjie Caballero, NDBC, Kidapawan City

Chris Maitem, NDBC, Kidapawan City

Jun Jacolbe, Radyo Natin, Kidapawan City

Ritchie Joy Mamburam, DXDM-FM, Kidapawan City

Jerwin Bayona, DXDM-FM, Kidapawan City

Bernard Jason Pacia, DXDM-FM, Kidapawan City

Williamor Magbanua, GMA7 stringer, Kidapawan City

Jucaldito Laniton, DXDM-FM, Kidapawan City

Felsy Co, Mindanao Press Corps, Mlang, North Cotabato

Bhergil Anima, radio blocktimer, NDBC and Charm Radio, Kidapawan City

Joy Francisco, Southern Voice Journal, Kidapawan City

Ruby Padilla-Sison, radio blocktimer, Charm Radio, Kidapawan City

Geonarri Solmerano, GMA7 stringer, Kidapawan City

Psalmer Bernalte, Metro Kidapawan Tourism Press Corps, Kidapawan City

Benny Queman

Garry Fuerzas

Rodel Torino

Jun Garcesa

Rex Torino

Romeo Varron

Wella dela Cerna

Teofilo Cadungog

EDUARDO VILLANUEVA, Chairman, BAGONG PILIPINAS, BAGONG PILIPINO MOVEMENT

Mila D. Aguilar, Poet

Sylvia Mayuga

Lila Shahani

Trixie Cruz-Angeles

Roby Alampay

Julius Mariveles; Secretary General-Correspondents, Broadcasters, Reporters Association-Action News Service (COBRA-ANS)

Bernie Ponge

Chris B. Salvatierra ordinary citizen of Quezon City