Candles For Slain Journalists

On November 23, 2009, one of the most gruesome incidents happened in the Maguindanao province in the Philippines where 57 people were killed by more than 160 gunmen. This when these gunmen ambushed and herded all the victims in a mountainous part of the Ampatuan town. The mass killing was made public when a mass grave was discovered bearing dead bodies alongside their vehicles.

The mass killing was said to be the largest in Philippine history, taking 30 journalists' lives. In commemoration of their colleagues, members of the Zamboanga City Press Club and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines held a candle lighting ceremony where they offered prayers and read a statement which seeks justice for all those who were brutally murdered. The statement read "We must not rest until each and every criminal charged and meted the punishment due them - for it's only thru this that we can at least say that justice has been served. Our campaign for the pursuit of justice must be relentless and focused. Let us not leave any stone unturned until all these have been brought to light." The participants also urged the public to join the global campaign against impunity and hopes that justice will be served.

The victims were part of the convoy. The group also included the wife and sisters of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu and several member of the press who were supposedly to report Mangudadatu's filing of the Certificate of Candidacy for Maguinadanao Governor. The said position is currently held by Andal Ampatuan Sr., head of a known political clan. Incidentally, Andal Jr. holds Mayoralty position in the Datu Unsay town, Zaldy Ampatuan is currently the Governor of the Muslim Autonomous Region. Several of their clan members also hold government seats in the said province. Several members of the Ampatuan clan have now been arrested and are facing inquiries regarding the killings. However, the family denied any involvement in the crime.

This recent tragedy counts up to 106 journalists who have been murdered since President Gloria Arroyo assumed office. These figures came from two media organizations and further said that Philippines is now regarded as the most dangerous country for journalists in the world.