In memory to the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre
Most people do their daily routine during that time. As Monday that was people scrambling to be in their workplace at the last minute so that they can’t be finalized for tardiness.
While every nation in the world looking for remedies for every type of problems their country are facing. Some politically inclined but others financial aspects as the United States suffer blown of the crisis itself and escalates through other regions. Even the great Dubai of United Arab Emirates suffers the same fate. Many were layoff for their jobs while some town in U.S abandoned by the their citizens because of the closure of some leading companies Condominiums suddenly plunged into darkness when the occupants withdrew their payments and went for other states where they could settle for new job.
Here in the Philippines I remember myself being in a town of Midsayaf staying in one of its inn as we had travel the day before to conduct a certain event for a Telecommunications company. What I noticed that on our way I discover every inch of the scenery seems perfect for utilization, cultivations and use it for agricultural purposes, especially the towns of Kabacan, and Pikit. Even Midsayaf had its potential too.
IAs turned the TV on with its local cable company subscribed I was looking for a news channel suddenly I turned it to DZRH TV where I found out that one of our colleagues is reported missing by his wife. By the way I am a volunteer by MBC Love Radio Gensan at that time and DZRH is our sister company.
It was Deo Macalma interviewed the wife of Mr. Henry Araneta a DZRH correspondent for central Mindanao who his by that time really hoping that her husband was okay because communication between her had been cutoff when her husband heading for Maguindanao along with dozens of local and national journalist to accompany the wife and siblings of Mangundadatu for the filling of the Certificate of Candidacy of Mayor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu of Buluan Town challenging the candidacy of then Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. on the forthcoming gubernatorial election of Maguindanao at the comelec office in Shariff Aguak town for the May 2010 elections.
Later that day communications from media outlets found out that the convoy for the said group was apprehended at the outskirt of Maguindanao and all of the members of the Mangundadatu family by an alleged Ampatuan clans with more than 100 persons including Paramilitary, police and Military members who is station at the said town.
Government forces and some members of local journalist join the effort to locate the site hoping to rescue them (The Mangundadatu’s/Journalist). But all efforts seem worthless when they d iscovered the brutal outcome of what should be a peaceful filling of candidacy for the election. All media men had been strapped from point blank bloodshed spotted almost everywhere. Bodies are scattered by groups. One of the Media Practitioner who I seen and talked with when during my short stint at Philippine Information Agency Mr. Ian Subang was also include on the gruesome killings.
Vehicles that been used by the victims were buried on a pit with the used of government own backhoe. The siblings of the Mangundadatu and their attorney discovered as one of those included on the said pit. Even a civilian vehicle who just happened to be driven with the said batch that didn’t knew all about the filling was also included.
Elsewhere relatives of media men who had been killed scrambling to identify the bodies of their love ones who had perished, It even take them months to identify some victims because it has deteriorated already mainly because the hours they been buried took so long before they been dig up.
After we heard the news we will concerned of our own safety for we also are members of media from the General Santos City. But event must go on so we started to gather ourselves up planning what to do for the celebration that would take place later that week in Midsayaf town.
On the next day events for the LGU Takes place even with the presence of Presidential and Vice Presidential aspirants Gibo Teodoro and the Actor Edu Manzano. But you could see their convoy escorted by members of the Armed Forces signaling some messages that it’s a high risk ordeal to travel along North Cotabato that time, Imagine the proximity of the place the space between the Midasyaf and Maguindanao is divided by Cotabato City yet the uncertainty by that time is high and peace situation is volatile.
We had executed the program the next day November 25, 2009 with efforts from us and the co-organizer of the said event we deliver it with grace and ended up earlier than expected. The next Morning we scramble to fix any equipment see to it that nothing was lost or might left. We check out and headed for the terminal. Our Supervisor decided to take a longer route that time instead of traveling through the North Cotabato’s entire town we take the longer route via Kidapawan City. Even I also notice that checkpoints had been placed almost every entry of every town we passed through.
After that Day President Arroyo ordered State of emergency to take effect to restore peace and to ensure the safety of the team who conducted the investigation. Mansions of the Ampatuan’s were raided yielding armaments. A lot own by them also unearthed and also found cache of live ammunitions several high powered firearms. Tension rise when the raiding teams encountered some rouge armed men believe to be sympathizers or part of the suspects of the said killings.
Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. the main suspect for the massacre was arrested by the authorities detained at CIDG Cell inside Camp Fermin Lira, General Santos. For security reasons he was later transferred to Metro Manila and detained at National Bureau Investigation Headquarters while his father then Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. fully guarded by arresting team and serving a house arrest later transferred to a Military Camp at the Outskirt of Davao City.
As the whole media and journalist organization all over the country and the world mourn for the loss of lives by yet another vanguards of freedom. Government agencies scrambled to release arresting warrants for the remaining suspects of the said massacre. Trial is now ongoing although there are instances that the defense made some effort to delay but it run smoothly as of now.
Several days ago marks the Anniversary of the said Massacre but still justice had to be served for those who been killed and sympathy had to be extend for the families of grieved for their losses. Suspects should be arrested for someone had been hiding after it happened it may account that more than hundred people should find accountable for the said killings.
Another Christmas was still not that kind for the media men immediate family for they have lost their love ones yet still they are trying to seek justice for the victims. The media community spends all eyes for the result of the said trial but as what justice system has been observed in this country it will take years for it to be resolve and justice will be serve.
For the family condolence although it’s been a year and to the media men who lost their lives trying to upheld freedom I salute all of you. You had been a martyr for the citizen of the country where political dispute frequently resulted to violence approached rather negotiating and peaceful resolutions should be made.
Here are the list of names that included in the November 23, 2009 Maguindanao Massacre.
Mangudadatu family and associates
Name: Descriptions:
Genalyn Tiamson- Mangudadatu - Wife of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu
Eden Mangudadatu - Municipal Vice Mayor of Mangudadatu, Maguindanao.
sister of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu
Rowena Mangudadatu - cousin of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu
Manguba Mangudadatu - Aunt of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu
Faridah Sabdulah -
Farida Mangudadatu - Youngest sister of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu
Farina Mangudadatu - Another sister of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu.
Concepcion “Connie” Brizuela, 56 - Lawyer.
Cynthia Oquendo, 36 - Lawyer.
Catalino Oquendo - Cynthia Oquendo's father.
Rasul Daud - Driver of Sultan Kudarat Rep.Pax Mangudadatu
Journalists
Thirty-four journalists are known to have been abducted and killed in the massacre, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Only 25 have been positively identified so far.
Alejandro "Bong" Reblando 53 - Manila Bulletin correspondent, a former Associated Press reporter
Henry Araneta - DZRH Correspondent based in General Santos City
Napoleon “Nap” Salaysay - DZRO manager.
Bartolome “Bart” Maravilla - Bombo Radyo Koronadal, South Cotabato
Jhoy Dojay - Goldstar Daily.
Andy Teodoro - Mindanao Examiner & Central Mindanao Inquirer reporter
Ian Subang - Mindanao Focus, a General Santos-based weekly community newspaper.
Leah Dalmacio - Mindanao Focus reporter
Gina Dela Cruz - Mindanao Focus reporter
Maritess Cablitas - Mindanao Focus reporter
Neneng Montano - Saksi weekly newspaper reporter
Victor Nuñez - UNTV reporter
McDelbert "Macmac" Arriola - UNTV cameraman
Jolito Evardo - UNTV editor
Daniel Tiamson - UNTV driver
Humberto Mumay - Koronadal-based journalist
Rey Merisco - Koronadal-based journalist
Ronnie Perante - Koronadal-based journalist
Jun Legarta - Koronadal-based journalist
Val Cachuela - Koronadal-based journalist
Santos "Jun" Gatchalian - Davao-based journalist.
Joel Parcon - Freelance journalist.
Noel Decena - Freelance journalist.
John Caniba - Freelance journalist.
Art Betia - Freelance journalist.
Ranie Razon - Freelance journalist.
Archie Ace David - Freelance "Tambay" journalist
Fernando "Ferdz" Mendoza - Freelance driver
Red Toyota Vios
Number of casualties: 5. they were supposedly mistaken as part of the convoy
Cecille Lechonsito - Wife of Eduardo Lechonsito
Mercy Palabrica - Co-worker of Eduardo Lechonsito
Daryll delos Reyes - Co-worker of Eduardo Lechonsito
Wilhelm Palabrica - Driver
May you all find Peace and justice shall be served for your death Rest well...
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Written by : Adrian P. Aniban
e-mail : rainbreakerman@yahoo.com
contact no : +639192091654
Source for the media list : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maguindanao_massacre
Source for the Photos : http://enpoe.com/news/maguindanao-massacre-photos-and-videos
http://pinoyissue.blogspot.com/2009/11/maguindanao-massacre-pictures- 2.html
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