Maguindanao massacre 5-YEAR-OLD MASS MURDER PROVES JUSTICE TILTED TO FAVOR THE RICH

By Manny Pinol

The events of November 23, 2009 are still fresh in my mind.

It was a Monday and I was still in my farm in Paco, Kidapawan City when I received a call from the wife of journalist Alejandro “Bong” Reblando, a former colleague when I was still an active newsman, and my compadre because I stood as sponsor in his daughter’s wedding.

She was frantic, she was crying and she told me that her husband was in a convoy bound for Shariff Aguak to witness the filing of the certificate of candidacy for Governor of then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu and that he and the others could no longer be contacted.

Then, I heard the news on local radio saying that hundreds of armed men waylaid the convoy and it was feared that those in the convoy, including lawyer Connie Jayme Brizuela of North Cotabato have been killed.

That was when I rushed to my office (I was then Vice Governor), to monitor the events and before the day ended it became clear that a crime beyond imagination and human comprehension had been committed.

In the final count, 58 people, including Mangudadatu’s wife and sisters and a large group of journalists were murdered by men led by Datu Unsay Ampatuan allegedly on orders of his father, Maguindanao political warlord Datu Andal Ampatuan.

About two days later, I received a call from then ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan, Datu Andal’s son, asking for my advice on what to do.

“Manong anong gagawin ko,” Datu Zaldy asked me and I told him to just tell the truth that it was his brother who perpetrated the killings.

Everybody knows that the Ampatuan’s were behind the killings.

Everybody knows that the military then which received bonuses and favors from the powerful Ampatuan clan shared the blame for the carnage because the top army official then refused a request by journalists for escorts.

Everybody knows that policemen were involved.

But today, five years after that massacre, not one of the suspects have been convicted and until today both the prosecution and the defense are still presenting witnesses to prove their points.

The Maguindanao Massacre is just a simple case of a power-hungry, politically well-entrenched, well-connected, filthy rich clan which wanted to preserve their hold of the province which is one of the poorest in the country.

Today, the top army official who refused to provide escorts to the convoy assuring the newsmen that there was no danger along the way, has been promoted to general.

Today, the national government has categorically declared that it will not provide compensation to the families of the victims in spite of the clear proof that the ineptness of both the police and the military in gathering intelligence information contributed to the mass murder.

Today, Esmael Mangudadatu, who became Governor of Maguindanao, still travels to Manila during the hearings of the case hopeful that someday justice will finally be served.

Today, as we hear accusations of bribery of public prosecutors involved in the case and the ability of the accused to hire lawyers to delay the case, it has become clear that in this country, justice is not blind.

Today, people realize that justice is swift for those who have less in life but it is agonizingly slow when one is up against the rich and the powerful.

This is justice in the Philippines and it is no wonder why many Filipinos have lost faith in the system and some of them have went up to the mountains.

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Victims in Maguindanao massacre (source: wikipedia)

Name Description

Genalyn Tiamson-Mangudadatu Wife of Esmael Mangudadatu.

Eden Mangudadatu Municipal Vice Mayor of Mangudadatu, Maguindanao, sister of Esmael Mangudadatu.

Rowena Mangudadatu cousin of Esmael Mangudadatu.

Manguba Mangudadatu Aunt of Esmael Mangudadatu.[51]

Faridah Sabdulah Lawyer[52]

Farida Mangudadatu Youngest sister of Esmael Mangudadatu.[51]

Farina Mangudadatu Another sister of Esmael Mangudadatu.

Concepcion “Connie” Brizuela, 56 Lawyer.[53]

Cynthia Oquendo, 36 Lawyer.

Catalino Oquendo Cynthia Oquendo’s father.

Rasul Daud Driver of Sultan Kudarat Rep. Pax Mangudadatu.[51]

Journalists

Thirty-four journalists are known to have been abducted and killed in the massacre, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer and only 25 have been positively identified so far.[6]

Name Description

Alejandro “Bong” Reblando,[6] 53 Manila Bulletin correspondent,[54] a former Associated Press reporter.[55]

Henry Araneta DZRH correspondent based in General Santos City[6]

Napoleon “Nap” Salaysay[6] DZRO manager.

Bartolome “Bart” Maravilla Bombo Radyo Koronadal, South Cotabato.[6]

Jhoy Dojay Goldstar Daily.[6]

Andy Teodoro Central Mindanao Inquirer reporter.[6]

Ian Subang Mindanao Focus, a General Santos-based weekly community newspaper.[6]

Leah Dalmacio Mindanao Focus reporter.[6]

Gina Dela Cruz Mindanao Focus reporter.[6]

Maritess Cablitas Mindanao Focus reporter.[6]

Neneng Montano Saksi weekly newspaper reporter.[6]

Victor Nuñez UNTV reporter.[6]

Ronnie I. Diola UNTV cameraman.

Jolito Evardo UNTV editor

Daniel Tiamson UNTV driver

Reynaldo Momay Koronadal-based journalist.[6]

Rey Merisco Koronadal-based journalist.[6]

Ronnie Perante Koronadal-based journalist.[6]

Jun Legarta Koronadal-based journalist.[6]

Val Cachuela Koronadal-based journalist.[6]

Santos “Jun” Gatchalian Davao-based journalist.

Joel Parcon [6] Freelance journalist.

Noel Decena [6] Freelance journalist.

John Caniba [6] Freelance journalist.

Art Betia [6] Freelance journalist.

Ranie Razon [6] Freelance journalist.

Archie Ace David Freelance “Tambay” journalist.

Fernanado “Ferdz” Mendoza Freelance driver.

Red Toyota Vios

Number of casualties: 5. They were supposedly mistaken as part of the convoy.[56]

Name Description

Eduardo Lechonsito Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat government employee.

Cecille Lechonsito Wife of Eduardo Lechonsito.

Mercy Palabrica Co-worker of Eduardo Lechonsito.

Daryll delos Reyes Co-worker of Eduardo Lechonsito.

(unavailable) Driver.

Blue Toyota FX

Number of casualties: 1. Mistaken as part of the convoy.[2]

Name Description

Anthony Ridao National Statistics Coordination Board employee and son of Cotabato City councilor Marino Ridao.