COLLATERAL DAMAGE

The filing of candidacy of the Mangudadatus threatened the empire of Ampatuans. This led to the infamous Maguindanao Massace, a gruesome crime, where 57 people, women and children, and among them 34 journalists, were ambushed and butchered in a nearby hill, buried in mass graves in order to hide the evidences of the barbaric act. The journalists were in convoy to cover Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu’s filing of his intention to run as governor of the predominantly Muslim province. This was considered the deadliest event for journalists and, consequently, labelled the Philippines as the second most dangerous country for journalists next to Iraq.

The conflict between the two warring families could be traced to the vested interest each family has: to perpetuate themselves to power. This is evident in their relationships to power-that-be, from the Marcoses to the Arroyos. The rift has been so deep that no amount of repair could restore their alliance. Because of this, annihilating each other was expected. Be that as it may, it could have been better if we left them solve their problems, even by violent means, until one family remains standing. Unfortunately, collateral damages will always be expected.. innocent victims. This time, the first to succumb were the journalists, whose only desire was to cover an event, and present this to people. The “die is cast”.

The carnage drew various worldwide condemnations, and has highlighted the violent factionalism that plagues the volatile region and more importantly the deadly risk journalists take in covering event. Ninoy Aquino, the fallen martyr, was with journalists at the time of his assassination. In times of war, it is the journalists who risk their lives and limbs to cover events. To some they are safety shields. To some, they are witnesses to events and later on be called upon to tell the truth about what they have covered. It used to be there was safety in having journalists in risky undertakings. But the barbarism in that massacre changed the adage “the pen is mightier than sword”. The treachery behind the crime has made the sword mangled the helpless pen. And everybody knows it should have not been.