THERE IS no soothing the pain.
There is no ending the sorrow.
There is only rage. Unabated, ever-rising.
Today, November 23, 2012, we solemnly observe the third anniversary of media’s own day that will live in infamy.
Nowhere in the world, not at any time in history had there been 32 media workers slaughtered in one place, in one day. Not to mention the 20 other civilians who perished along with them.
The evil of that day impacted in our minds, the tragedy befallen our colleagues inscribed in our hearts, the heinousness of it all troubling our very souls.
Three years have passed. In the Filipino tradition, the period of mourning has already ended two years back yet. That life has moved on.
But not to us, not for us.
Three years have passed. With the pain, the grief over our loss only increasing by the day. The nation embittered by the lethargy, aye, the apathy, of our justice system.
Three years have passed. And the counting – by the hour, by the day, by the week, by the month, by the year – just cannot stop.
There cannot be any forgetting.
The mourning can only continue.
The struggle for justice can only be unceasing, unrelenting.
The fight to end the culture of impunity that caused and effected the massacre unflagging.
Heed us then the call to arms: “Do not go quietly into that good night…Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
That light of freedom, of justice, of Truth.
To us the living is reposited, indeed, imposed, that sacred duty until justice is done and the victims of the Ampatuan Massacre, as well as all the martyrs in the cause of press freedom shall truly rest in peace.
Tatlong taon na ang lumipas. Subali’t hindi pa rin tayo makakapag-babang luksa.
Patuloy ang panaghoy, kaakibat ang pagpapaigting sa pakikibaka. Hanggang ang katarungan ay ganap na makamtan.
Ang paglimot sa adhikaing ito, ang paglihis sa tungkuling ito ay walang kapatawarang paglapastangan sa kadakilaan ng pagbuwis ng buhay ng mga martir ng Maguindanao.
Matapos ang tatlong taon, wala pa rin katapusan ang pagluluksa.
So in remembering the Ampatuan Massacre, we weep.
And in calling for justice, we rage.
For how long? For as long as it takes.
