Protest march joined by Central Luzon journalists in San Fernando, Pampanga. Photo by Ric Gonzales
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – American and Canadian ambassadors in the country said they have closely watched the Maguindanao massacre trial, urging justice to be served “in a timely and credible manner.”
In a press statement, Canadian Ambassador Christopher Thornley said the massacre of 58 people, including 32 journalists, was not only an act of violence but also an affront to human rights, freedom of the press, freedom of expression and the right to free and fair elections that both Filipinos and Canadians stand to protect and defend.
“While understanding the process to bring those responsible to justice continues, Canada calls on the government of the Philippines to ensure the process be completed in a timely and credible manner,” Thornley said.
For his part, US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. said the United States welcomes President Aquino’s pledge to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The prosecution of this case is seen by many around the world as demonstrative of the Philippines’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights,” he said.
In commemoration rites here on Wednesday, Central Luzon journalists asked President Aquino to end impunity in the country and exhaust all means to bring justice to the victims of the Maguindanao massacre which happened two years ago on November 23.
The various media groups, led by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) chapters in Pampanga, Bulacan and Bataan, on Wednesday staged in front of the city hall here a short program, “die in,” and marched around the San Fernando Metropolitan Cathedral to seek justice to the victims.
“The government showed its muscle in the case of the former President (Arroyo), why not on the case of the Maguindanao Massacre?” said NUJP-Bulacan Chairman Dino Balabo.
Rogie Pangilinan, chairman of the Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA), echoed the statements of Balabo. He said Aquino “should focus on how to end impunity and solve the senseless killings of journalists and not just on the cases against Arroyo.”
“The government should also stop threats and harassments against mediamen,” he added.
Bong Lacson, founding chairman of the NUJP-Pampanga, said “nowhere in the world, not at any time in history had there been 32 media workers killed in one place in a single day.”
“Two years have passed. In the Filipino tradition the period of mourning has ended a year back yet. That life has moved on. But not to us,” Lacson said.
Ashley Manabat, NUJP-Pampanga chairman, said “let’s all be in black for the quest for justice for our murdered peers, assertion of freedom of the press and an end to impunity.”
NUJP’s Fred Villareal said the cases filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in connection with the killings “remained slow.”
“There are more than 200 witnesses. Close to 200 suspects. Only seven have been arraigned, and two of whom had hearing,” said Villareal, explaining the slowness and progress of the case.
Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto led the Mass at the San Fernando Cathedral shortly after the protest march attended by the NUJP, College Editors Guild of the Philippines-Central Luzon, Pampanga Press Club, Society of Pampanga Columnists, CLMA and Angeles City Press and Radio Club.
Villareal said media groups from other provinces – Tarlac, Nueva Ejica, Aurora and Zambales – failed to attend but expressed solidarity to their fellow journalists in Region III.
Gunmen, including some policemen, allegedly led by Andal Ampatuan Jr., a former town mayor, stopped members of the Mangudadatu clan as they traveled to file for candidacy in the regional elections.
They were reportedly led to a hilly area and then gunned down and hastily buried in mass graves, alongside their vehicles that were crushed by a backhoe.
The activities in Pampanga’s capital city coincided with other activities prepared by about 60 other chapters of the NUJP in the country in time for the International Day to End Impunity led by the International Free Express eXchange (IFEX) based in Canada.
