November 23, 2013, marks the 4th year anniversary of the gruesome Ampatuan Massacre, where in 58 people were killed, 32 of them were journalist; while on their way to file a certirificate of Candidacy for Esmael Magudadatu as governor the following year.
Do we still care?
It seems like most of us have forgotten this horrible event in our history. We tend to forget our past easily. It seems like nothing happened. Or maybe it have been overshadowed by the recent issues like Napoles, Korina Sanchez vs Cooper or Manny Pacquiao won over Brandon Rios and tragic tragedies like Bagyong Yolanda who killed thousands of Filipino.
The families of the victims continue to cry out for justice. Some witnesses have been turned, killed or disappeared. Some families of the victims are on the run fearing for their safety.
After more than 100 hearings since the trail began in 2010, the families of the victims were losing hope because of the slow movement of the case.
NOVEMBER 23 marks as International day to end impunity.
Our Professor in MassCom 15 invited us to attend a Forum-workshop last Friday, November 22 launched by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Davao Chapter as part of commemorating the fourth year of the Ampatuan Massacre and the third year of the International Day to End Impunity.
The forum was attend by Mass Communication students of Holy Cross of Davao College, journalists and media workers. We were divided in 6 groups and asked to discussed what Impunity means and the role of media in reporting human rights issues.
First, me and my group mates decided to define what Impunity means (in Technical matter) for us to understand it more.
but as the time passes by and as we share our sentiments; The most common answer to define Impunity in a word is FEAR.
FEAR. big word!
You're
not sure if it's okay to express your sentiments about a certain issue because
you're scared that you might be threatened or killed given the fact that the
Philippines do not have an law that could protect Journalist. And for the
aspiring journalist; sometimes we really asked our self if this is the path
that we're going to take. We're confused between our fear and passion.
What can we do as an ordinary citizen && as a student?
- Never forget. According to Mr. Carlos Condes; A researcher at Human Rights Watch covering the Philippines and a former Journalist. One way of doing it is to post something about it every now and then for everyone to see (on Facebook, Twitter, and in your blogs). This will help those who have forgotten to remember.
- Be an educated. Research. Research. Research. Dig dipper. Know about a little of everything and share it to others.
- Be vigilant. Stay on guard, be the watch dog of the society.
To date, none of the perpetrators have been brought to justice. I know that it is painful to the families of the victims that 4 years passed but nothing happened. And it's more painful to know that the witnesses of this massacre are being killed one-by-one. But let us not give up, let us not lose hope. Maybe a days, weeks or years from now, justice will prevail. We never know what tomorrow brings.
To date, none of the perpetrators have been brought
to justice. I know that it is painful to the families of the victims that four years
have passed but nothing happened. And it's more painful to know that the
witnesses of this massacre are being killed one-by-one. But let us
not give up, let us not lose hope. Maybe a day, a week or years from now,
justice will prevail. We never know what tomorrow brings.
May we never forget the victims of the
MaguindanaoMassacre. May we never forget that impunity still reigns in our country.Justice
for the 58 people.They
are not just numbers.
