Statement on the FIRST MONTH OF THE MASSACRE IN AMPATUAN, MAGUINDANAO

One month ago today, the unthinkable and unimaginable mass slaughter of 57 innocent civilians – more than 30 of them working journalists – took place in Sitio Masalay, Salman village in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.

There were arrests made and charges filed involving suspected masterminds, conspirators and perpetrators of the heinous crime.

However, the charges are moving slowly, an indication that this might just be another case of “Justice delayed, justice denied.”

The colleagues and families of the slain victims are just hoping that this time around the wheels of justice would move faster.

The Ampatuans, using their money and influence, are doing everything to cover up the crime. Their cohorts, many of them men-in-uniform, are reportedly trying to subvert and
tamper recovered evidence.

We urge all sectors to help us in our quest for justice. As Martin Luther King, Jr. had said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This could happen again anywhere in the country, where there is presence of similar ruthless warlords, if justice is not served to the victims.

We appeal to all our national and international media colleagues to help us pursue and monitor the progress of the case.

We ask all freedom-loving Filipinos to never dare forget the November 23 Maguindanao massacre.

Our pride and reputation as a nation is at stake. Our hard-earned freedom of expression is at risk.

COLLEAGUES AND FAMILIES OF THE SLAIN VICTIMS
and the November 23 Movement  (Loose coalition of media organizations seeking for justice for the Ampatuan massacre victims)

For more information, please contact Aquiles Zonio, General Santos City-based journalist: (0927) 6854926 and aquileszonio@yahoo.com.

• Puno: Government has taken Forceful Measures in Maguindanao
• Asia-Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) Statement: The Maguindanao Massacre is also a Ruthless Assault on the Bangsamoro People’s Sovereign Will
• MPPM, LDCI and AMKP Joint Press Statement on the Indiscriminate Bombings of Teduray Communities in Guindulungan, Maguindanao, Philippines