MASSACRE IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM

After our gaining a CNN Hero of the Year who taught literacy to children by pushing a kariton (cart), we have gained a notoriety for being number 1 in having the most dangerous place for media people, with the massacre of civilians including the democratic team led by Genalyn, out to register the certificate of candidacy of her husband, Vice Mayor Toto Mangudadatu of Maguindanao, lawyers and media people who joined to cover that historic event, which could have been the first challenge to the warlords in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

How sad indeed that day after day our national image is being tarnished by forces of reaction to the shake up of the non-democratic foundations of our country. But more than that image, we are now seeing the strong ties that bind the media, and other civilian groups who remain staunch advocates of the rule of law, and of adherence to democracy.

I do think that we need to be most vigilant at this time. Last night I listened to an ex-police general talk about the need to call for the resignation of GMA should she not be able to arrest the perpetrators of the crime. This afternoon, I listened to the press conference featuring the officials of this administration talking about how they are solving the problem, and pointing to the legal steps being taken so that the guilty will not be able to weave themselves out of the process.

This masssacre in the new millenium is a grim reminder to all democratic-loving peoples, not only in the Philippines but elsewhere in the world that there are still persons who will not relinquish their powers peacefully. The animalistic murder of those supporting the challenger to their powers shows that they are not even schooled whatsoever in any manner about what democracy means, and that is to respect the right of anyone to put themselves up as candidate for any position.

It is horrible that that this is just the filing of candidacy and not the voting proper yet for the position.

So we call on all freedom-loving peoples to remain vigilant. Let us wear the black armbands till that day that judgment is made of the case. Let us put up our own posters until the completion of the 2010 elections that Vigilance can cost our lives but it also means that our children, and our children's children will reap and enjoy the victories of our struggles for peaceful, honest and pro-people elections.

Let us all continue praying that we shall hurdle all the obstacles that will try to stop us from believing in democratic and honest elections.

Also, now is the time for all of us to join the Peoples' Primaries of the Transform Politics Movement so that together we can strengthen our ranks and contribute to the growing movement to have true democracy in the Philippines.

Lastly, let us pray for the repose of the souls of the departed, that they may find that their deaths will not have been in vain, after all.

So be it.