MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE – photos & reports.
Esmael Mangudadatu Jr. : “My wife’s private parts were slashed four times, after which they fired a bullet into it. They speared both of her eyes, shot both her breasts, cut off her feet, fired into her mouth. I could not begin to describe the manner by which they treated her.“
photo sources from the newswires from the internet – AP, xinxua and other media organizations.
Story
The Maguindanao massacre occurred on the morning of November 23, 2009, in the Maguindanao province on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. The victims were trying to obtain a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, vice mayor of Buluan town. Mangudadatu was challenging Andal Ampatuan, Jr. (son of the former Maguindanao governor Datu Andal Ampatuan) in the Maguindanao governatorial election, part of the national elections in 2010. Those killed included Mangudadatu’s wife, two sisters, lawyers, aides, and journalists, which report says that the manner of killing was so brutal that the slaughter was made giving several decapitation amongst victims, raped some of the women, and tortured them before killing them.
As of November 24, 46 deaths were confirmed by Lt. Col. Rolando Nerona of the Philippine Army. Reporters Without Borders announced that at least 12 of the victims were journalists, including several members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, making this the deadliest such incident in the history of news media.
Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo responded to the news of the massacre by declaring a state of emergency in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City. Speaker of the House Prospero Nograles called on the police to quickly identify the perpetrators of the massacre and disarm private militias. The Filipino Department of Justice created a panel of special prosecutors to handle cases arising from the massacre.
In the aftermath, Nueva Ecija Rep. Edno Joson said the massacre might affect, or even lead to the cancellation of, the scheduled 2010 presidential elections. Candidates in the election condemned the massacre, as did the European Union.
AMPATUAN SURRENDERS, TO BE FLOWN TO MANILA
Ampatuan Jr., accompanied by Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on Mindanao, arrived in General Santos at 12:25 p.m., clad in polo-shirt, long pants, black jacket and his face covered with a turban. He was handed over to Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera who would bring the local official to Manila onboard a private plane.
MASSACRE WITNESS SURFACES, TAGS AMPATUAN
Witness said that all the slain women were raped. The 100 armed men never asked why, they just followed orders from Andal Ampatuan, Jr. He mentioned that they were not able to finish the job of burying all the dead and their vehicles because soldiers were coming. The witness said that their group do have connections with military in reference to the heinous crime committed.
WITNESS: ‘WE JUST FOLLOWED ORDERS’
A man who says he was a witness to Monday’s massacre in the southern Philippines has told Al Jazeera how he was ordered to kill members of a rival political clan – including women and children – and to make sure no evidence was left behind.
Thoughts
How does these things affect the people as citizens and the country as a nation? How about you? How does it affect you? Can you ensure you and your family’s and friends’ safety under such abusive authorities? What can you do? What WILL you do?
Common people’s ignoring responses reminds me of how fanaticism developed and ruled the people.
“Very few people were true Nazis, but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools.
So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control.” – a common German citizen
Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant.
China’s huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people.
The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a war-mongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel, and bayonet.
And who can forget Rwanda , which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were peace loving’?
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points:
The hard quantifiable fact is that the peaceful majority, the ‘silent majority,’ is cowed and extraneous.
As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts; the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
Anyone who doubts that the issue is serious and just disregard it is contributing to the passiveness that allows the problems to expand.
The first thing the fanatics will do to the ‘ silent majority ‘ is to disarm them… What will you do?
Other blog source:
http://ryanericsongcanlas.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/justice-for-maguindanao-massacre/
stop killing……
bigyan dapat ito ng hustiSYA
YAN BA ANG PULITIKA? KUNG GANUN para sa akin WALA NA DAPAT ELECTION.
ano pang susunod na mangyayari
hihintayin ba natin na marami pang buhay ang mawala ng dahil sa pulitika……………
yakssssssssssssssss………..
By: ruby grace mercado on December 2, 2009
at 2:04 am
true. these people are showing right in front our faces how cheap Filipino lives are for them. if they can do these to those victims, then each and every ordinary Filipinos should think that they are NEVER safe in this country wherever they go as long as our own law and public officials tolerates and practices human rights violation. worse, at its best.
By: Edsel Logan on December 2, 2009
at 10:34 am
yup that’s what Philippine politics is. if people like these Ampatuan has the right to have such army, I don’t see any reason why ordinary citizens should arm themselves as well and form a group against such abusive politicians.
By: Edsel Logan on December 8, 2009
at 2:24 am
grab nmn yan.. d na naawa ng rape pa.
By: rei on December 5, 2009
at 4:32 am
Martial Law should be imposed to Maguindanao and justice shall prevail! enough for those politics who contradict this especially Chaos and gambling lord Estrada! Do not use this issue to shine for your candidacy.(Mahiya ka naman! Kapal ng apog mo!) Disarm all private militia and if necessary neutralize them. Send the Marines!
By: Congressional on December 5, 2009
at 2:30 pm
Majority of the politicians has mastered the art of shameless deeds and deception that keeps them going no matter what to achieve their personal interest.
By: Edsel Logan on December 8, 2009
at 2:22 am
Kelangan Marines and tumugis sa mga demonyong may gawa nyan.
By: Pulis on December 5, 2009
at 2:35 pm
Yun talga ang mangyayari. Send the Marines.
By: Edsel Logan on December 8, 2009
at 2:20 am
Every human being has given a right to live. Taking of another life is non forgivable. They can forever deny and nothing escapes God’s eyes.
By: dimplox on December 5, 2009
at 9:35 pm
reminds me of his words, “Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” – Matthew 10:28
Somehow makes one feel safer in the middle of chaos and corrupted people’s hearts.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
By: Edsel Logan on December 8, 2009
at 2:18 am
how sad.. justice for them..
By: av3lard on December 7, 2009
at 5:22 am
i wonder what justice will they get under an Administration that owes the Ampatuan so much.
By: Edsel Logan on December 8, 2009
at 2:19 am
dapat binabalatan ng buhay ang lahat ng mga ampatuan at bitayin sa kapitolyo..excecution without burial..
By: jay on December 8, 2009
at 1:11 am
if that would happen i honestly think that it will be an effective way of minimizing abuses in authority. people has gone shameless in their evil deeds these days.
By: Edsel Logan on December 8, 2009
at 2:04 am
OH MY GOD how could these horrible thing happen!!!!!!they had done nothing wrong The victims were just trying to obtain a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu.taking people’s live’s is unforgivable, people have the right to live
By: Lj on December 8, 2009
at 1:48 am
that’s the saddest part of it. these people doesn’t really care for others’ rights be it the right to live. they don’t give such rights to others while after all these, they get the chance to live… i say it will be sweeter for the relatives and friends of the victims if these perpetrators will be denied of the same rights they denied that they relentlessly denied to their victims.
By: Edsel Logan on December 8, 2009
at 2:09 am
Sometimes I feel so proud being a Filipino because we’re talented, our country is abundant of natural resources and just simply beautiful… but this makes me bow my head very low
somehow I’m glad that I’m in Canada now since I can sense Philippines sinking to hell with all this corrupt and evil people growing in numbers … God said, “Thou shalt not kill” period and it does not say “thou shalt not kill unless…” you can’t reason with it! and also, this is the result of people being WORLDLY. TOTAL abuse of power!
DAMN ALL THESE SAVAGES! they’ll be put to their rightful places at HELL and that’s TRUE JUSTICE!
By: d3mur3 on December 9, 2009
at 2:40 am
true indeed. true justice is in his hand.
but one thing we can never deny no matter where we go, we’re still a Filipino. some of our countrymen may be a disgrace but that doesn’t mean that because of such shame, we have to stop proving to the whole world that Filipinos have also a lot to be proud of.
By: Edsel Logan on December 9, 2009
at 6:30 am
JUSTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i cant belive that it will happen here ….
i feel so sad everytime that i will see those pictures….
DI MAKATAO GINAWA NILA!!!!
sana maparusahan ang mga dapat parusahan sa likod ng pangyayaring ito…..
PLS!…..PRAY FOR THE VICTIMS AND FOR THIER FAMILY!!!
By: hazel on December 9, 2009
at 9:27 am
God is not blind. let’s have faith that he knows exactly what to do to these people.
By: Edsel Logan on December 9, 2009
at 9:30 am
for the ampatuans KILL’em all!!!!
By: RoelBalucanag on December 10, 2009
at 2:32 pm
you’re right!!!!burned that insane in hell…
By: rolly on February 2, 2010
at 5:57 am
excellent piece. equate it with the nazis and the maoists and how all of that came together to become the heinous atrocities forever entrenched in history.
By: anonymous on December 11, 2009
at 5:19 am
thanks. can’t to think of it. it only takes few to make such awful change. but it seems very difficult for the majority to fight for their freedom until it’s too late. this shows us the key importance of true leadership and management of power and resources. the ability of few chosen ones to see the key to success towards their goals.
By: Edsel Logan on December 11, 2009
at 5:28 am
they are so brutal or no word can be describe by their acts to the victims….. JUSTICE… I support martial law in maguindanao…
By: Jo Lee on December 11, 2009
at 12:03 pm
but let’s not forget that martial law could also possibly post an even greater threat to suppress media and people’s awareness in the factual details of any investigation that might link any key persons involved.
By: Edsel Logan on December 12, 2009
at 3:53 am
It’s all about money and power!!!!where are the mothers of these criminals? are they criminals too?
sabagay si GMA nga nanay din!!!
I’m calling the attention of all the mothers and fathers of these criminals what have you done to your children? HOW CAN YOU ALL SLEEP?????????
PGMA @ Ampatuans you have to do something about this or else you’ll be answerable to your creator…soon!!!
By: Aileen Ellamil on December 12, 2009
at 7:28 am
nice view. their parents are big factor for how their children became who they are now. but if the parents are the ones who thought them the same kind of corrupt mentality and so as the parents of the parents, etc…. we could be looking at the root cause by bloodline.
i wonder who’s bloodline has the character of being the nemesis of these people.
By: Edsel Logan on December 14, 2009
at 2:25 am
i want to kill ampatuan mastermined!!!
By: rolly on February 2, 2010
at 5:48 am
Dpat sa mga gnyan hnha2lan ng kmtyan kc makaslanan KA, d man lng sya nknsnsya{ampatuan the devil one}kulng pa buhy mo pra sa mga taong PINAPATAY MO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DEVIL KA TALAGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!KAINIS PATAYN KTA DYN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By: Arlene Leyran on April 6, 2010
at 5:13 am
jesus said that thou shall not kill..but i said that ampatuan should be kill.!!!..
like public stonning..
By: joemar on May 15, 2010
at 5:15 am
It seems a majority of you have already condemed the acts and also the accused. Where is true democracy if the rule of law is not followed. Wait for the actions of the court system. If that is not followed, we would be worse than the perpetrators themselves. I found this blog over a year after the incident, so late it may be, I’ll still put my two cents in. WHAT IF?…just for the sake of argument, this had been, all along, the setting for the “Perfect Crime”. From the heading of this blog is a quote from Toto Mangudadatu himself, the same statement I watched him say on live TV. And just hours later, he was face to face with Ampatuan, Jr. as he was led into a precint after he surrendered. As horrifying as he described what they did to his wife, he never showed any anger at all. In fact he was pushed away by one man with no more than a tap on the arm. If that had been my wife, so brutally murdered, I would not have found such level headedness. That led me to think of the other possibility. Could he have perpetrated this himself? Could he have sacrificed his own family to achieve what would have been impossible. To take away Maguindanao from the Ampatuans by any means. The Amapatuans, in my opinion need not kill to keep control of Maguindanao. It is theirs forever. Unless, something like this were to happen. Are they really that stupid? They were even accused of cheating for the entire ticket of PGMA in 2004 with no more than vote buying and harrasment. They could very well do the same for themselves. Why have to kill? I looked at the possibilities, all the gain goes to Mangudadatu from this. All the pain to the Ampatuans. Where are all of them now? Toto Mangudadatu is Governor of Maguindanao, the Ampatuans are still fighting their case, all of the jailed. I cite my points as follows:
1: Everything was just too conveniently laid out to point to the Ampatuans as the perpetrators. Like the backhoe bearing the Governors name, all the witnesses coming out, until now, whereas, all this time the fear of the Ampatuan’s is immeasurable. Why all of a sudden they would risk dying themselves for testifying against them.
2. Why were there no escorts, knowing as they say, there was Imminent Danger.
3. No male relatives of Toto Mangudadatu was in the convoy.
4. Are the Ampatuan’s really that stupid as to try something like this? Did they ever think they could get away with it? I hardly think so. As a matter of fact, I believe the safest people in Maguindanao were their true enemies. They wouldn’t kill anyone if they know they would be the first suspect.
5. And now the effects, Toto Mangudadatu is slowly pushing for the recognition of the victims as “Martyrs” for the regained freedom of Maguindanao from the Ampatuan’s. A token of appreciation for their sacrifice? Could they have known this was going to happen?
Just like everyone else that replied in this blog, I too, have an opinion. And that is all it is.
By: Joseph on December 15, 2010
at 5:40 am
well said Joseph. however, any assumptions here on what really happened and who really are the suspects, i think are just irrelevant. why? because just like any other unsolved cases and cases won by the rich, by now i hope many of us already noticed the obvious… money can buy justice in our country. take the recent decision of SC on Vizconde Massacre case for one. they got acquitted mainly because the evidences that could have pointed whoever did the crime was destroyed. it’s like saying, anybody in our justice system can easily destroy any evidences that they hold and we can’t do anything about it. all they do is delay the case, prolong the detention and then after the fury from the people subsides, then they give pardon (Claudio Teehankee Jr. Case and Ninoy Aquino Case), they are granted acquittal (Vizconde Massacre Case), or just simply win the case (Hayden Kho).
Bottom line is, rich and powerful people in this country are untouchables. They can just do anything they want and get away with it. This dilemma is no longer about the criminals. It’s about our justice system and how we Filipinos just accept everything as it is and become part of that rotten system.
That being said, the question is what can we do?
By: Bitoy BOY on December 15, 2010
at 6:31 am
There are so many other opinions I have about what we can do. I’ll share just a couple. I believe change is with our youth. They have the best opportunity to make the changes. How do we help them? Improve the education system the best way money can buy. But, then of course, a lot of money we don’t have is needed if the number of children to educated continue to rise. So, another hot issue here I’m going to get into and open up. RH BILL…begin with controlling the population growth and having a better chance of providing better governance for everyone. Our solutions are all going to be long term. There are no more overnight miracles. We all have to understand that. And lastly, I strongly believe it is time to shed the many setback causing mentalities the Spaniards left us with. Let’s all face the future as Filipinos living in the present and collectively striving for a better tomorrow, as opposed to the ever oppressed, self- pitying people, like the Spaniards left over a hundred years ago.
As to the Vizconde Case Acquital. My only comment. see how Mr. Vizconde reacted after almost 20 years after the murders. He was still overwhelmed. While, Mangudadatu, just hours after the Maguindanao Massacre was able to give live interviews as cool, calm & collected as if nothing horrible happened to him. I don’t know. He just strikes me as strange on this one.
By: Joseph on December 15, 2010
at 8:56 am
Joseph, I can see where your suggested plans are going. Typically ideal like what i always hear from my idealistic friends. However, it doesn’t provide immediate answer on how such plans can be carried out into reality. I know that such can provide hope for a chance to change. But realistically speaking, we should realize that the very reason why suddenly our country’s rate of unemployment, and rate of illiterate citizens not to mention the poor focus of educational system did not happen by accident. These were intentionally plotted by people who will likely benefit from it.
If you’re one of those people who benefits from millions of uneducated people, wouldn’t you at least think of ensuring these people don’t get that education they need? The signs for that theory is all around us. Just look at the media itself. When was the last time we saw a life lasting true educational and patriotic campaign made to ensure that it effectively sink in to people’s minds? I will bet that the commercials, telenovelas, sexy movies, and noon programs will be remembered more than any acts of campaigns that the government do. Our media supports in keeping the people stupid and the more stupid people there are, the easier the country is manipulated.
To raise my question again, what can we do? I’m not saying there’s no solution but I want to hear from others what they think can be done to make a change base on a realistic present status quo.
By: Bitoy BOY on December 15, 2010
at 9:22 am
yes, let’s wait for others to join in for their ideas. As for immediate answer, I always joked about one. There’s only enough resources for about 60 million filipinos. We have over 90 and growing. What can we do? Ship the 30 million overseas. Problem Solved.
By: Joseph on December 15, 2010
at 11:02 am