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In her term as president of the Philippine Republic, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has had quite a few run-ins with infamy — the “Hello, Garci” brouhaha, corruption cases (that have not been resolved thus far), and now the Maguindanao massacre, which will remain in history as a blight of shame on our nation. Only one of these [...] Namfrel on the Maguindanao massacre

[Media Release] The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) strongly condemns the brutal politically-motivated killings in Maguindanao of political supporters and journalists. We call upon President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to take a firm and decisive action immediately to go after the perpetrators of this heinous crime, and for the government to consider this and other recent tragedies [...] Related posts:

1. Open Letter from Namfrel/PPCRV
2. Namfrel on Marcos’ call for its abolition
3. Shame on you, Gloria

The hideous event yesterday in Maguindanao Province has proven yet again how power corrupts the weak and the cowardly. It corrupts people to their core.

The Mindanao Bloggers Community condemns the perpetrators, those criminals, and their masters who allowed the massacre of innocent people. The bloodshed, we are all too aware, was meant as a ploy to spread fear. But we will not be trampled upon: our voices will be heard!

Here are a few blog posts that have come out to denounce the massacre and to call for justice for the families of those who have been viciously murdered:

http://www.gensantos.com/2009/11/24/in-memoriam-of-the-maguindanao-martyrs/
http://www.angdabawenyo.com/2009/11/24/be-vigilant-for-mindanao/
http://jodixa.blogspot.com/2009/11/maguindanao-massacre.html
http://tagadavao.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/manilenyo-in-davao-condemns-the-killings-in-maguindanao/
http://moncasiple.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/maguindanao-massacre/
http://newphilrevolution.blogspot.com/2009/11/datu-andal-ampatuan-suspect-in.html
http://www.uniffors.com/?p=3299
http://otsopya.multiply.com/journal/item/745/Maguindanao_Massacre
http://gandaeversomuch.com/2009/11/lungkot-ever/maguindanao-massacre/
http://www.thepoc.net/commentaries/3121-maguindanao-massacre-another-blow-to-mindanaos-image.html

No matter how many times one hears about senseless killings, it is appalling each time it happens. How could people sink so low? How could people engaged in violence continue to believe that it will ever solve anything?

The massacre yesterday of the Mangudadatu family members and journalists in Ampatuan town on their way to Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao was, without a doubt, a calculated move to instill fear among voters. It was designed to scare away anyone who dares rock the boat in the province of Maguindanao. It was clearly perpetrated by those in power to keep the status quo.

Let us all be vigilant for Mindanao. To those who are working for peace and development in Mindanao, do not lose heart! If we cower and retreat for fear of our lives, then we become the losers. Let’s not allow cowards to blight the beauty that is inherent in Mindanao. We should not allow the deaths of the innocents to be in vain.

For there to be justice, those of us who have a voice must remain true to our calling. We must not let this heinous crime dissolve into another unresolved incident, otherwise we will be part of the problem.

Bloggers of Mindanao: In following the initiative of our colleague in General Santos, please display a black ribbon on your blogs to signify vigilance and awareness and justice.

To our friends in mainstream media, an appeal. Please do not label the whole of Mindanao or Southern Philippines as lawless. Statements like that won’t help anyone — in fact, it will continue to drag the whole of the island deeper into the mire from which we have been trying to get out all these years.

Let’s not forget our common goal: lasting peace and meaningful, sustainable development in the whole of Mindanao.