Thirteen years passed but the dark torments of that November 23, 2009 still lives as the world’s deadliest attack against journalist in the history of mankind as 58 people, 32 of whom were journalists were killed in a gruesome massacre in a broad daylight in Ampatuan, Maguindanao. However, despite the decade-long court deliberations, the case remains far from being considered ‘resolved’ as justice has never completely been served, not to mention the current plight against human rights violations and press freedom in the current socio-political climate in the Philippines.
After 10 years in trial, on December 20, 2019, the Quezon City Trial Court (QCRTC) Branch 221 convicted 28 principal suspects, including eight members from the Ampatuan clan, but 80 suspects remain at large. Kin of the fallen victims is still yet to truly achieve absolute justice as numerous suspects still are not put behind bars. The 10-year delay of justice, and still partial for that matter, only manifested a rotten judicial system that makes democracy flawed in the Philippines where justice favors not the worst-off but those who are privileged and in power. This led to dissent and the reclassification of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization as an “ongoing or unresolved” case following the appeals of the families of the victims.
But more importantly, even thirteen years after the Ampatuan Massacre, the entrenched culture of impunity against journalists in the country becomes even more observed and prevalent, clearly consigning into oblivion the brutal marks of history. The press and media workers continue encountering threats over violations of press freedom. The recent killing of radio broadcasters Percy Lapid and Rey Blanco under the brand new administration, the innumerable cases of red-tagging of journalists from all over the nation, the shutdown of ABS-CBN, one of the biggest media outlets in the country, and the institutionalization of state-accredited media institutions only prove that the media and media workers continue to face inequalities before an oppressive and tyrannical administration. The Philippines unsurprisingly plunged further, now ranking 147th out of 180 countries in the 2022 World Press Freedom Index.
But now, more than ever, with the comeback of the Marcoses to the Palace following the 2022 presidential elections, media organizations and journalists who, as the fourth estate, serve as a check and watchdog of the government are in great jeopardy, and the consequential role media play in a democratic government is endangered. With his utilization of the media as a piece of political machinery to advance and attain personal political interests and remembering the violent experiences of his father’s dictatorial rule, it is undeniable that the role of the media to express dissent and be critical of the administration would be put in sheer alienation.
With the current socio-political climate in the country, it is now high time tombeef up the need to fight for the freedom of the press and freedom of free speech. While these freedoms should have been privileged to the people in a democratic system, we cannot deny that those who are greedy and abusive of power would move heaven and hell to stay in power and silence those that throw dissent and opposition. The media should be in the front line in safeguarding the cause of purveying and defending the truth, and amplifying the voices of the people. As a fourth estate of the realm, media should stand on its ground in ensuring that citizens make responsible and informed choices and in being the check that polices the government without internal and external constraints.
As we commemorate the horrors of the Maguindanao Massacre, may we all continue to fight for what is due in a dog’s eye. As Carlos Conde of the Human Rights Watch have asserted that it is not only when tyrants rise that disinformation exists but most crucially when democratic vanguards such as journalists fail in their mission. As we remember the slain 58 and all other victims of media repression and political killings, it is our duty to continuously fight for justice as we all struggle for a just and equal society where offenders of the law are jailed and the course of malefaction is halted. For the fallen 58, media should strive to never be a lapdog enslaved in an absolute servitude but to continuously be a watchdog that keeps an eye in the society to ensure justice, and safeguard and rescue our fragmenting democracy.
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