Thursday, December 10, 2009

Infinite Silence ..

A beckon of impasses is yet again happening in our nation today. The string of bombings in Mindanao isn't the latest piece of art anymore; it's the killing of media men and civilians that put this country to ordeal. Because of the undying racial, religious and political squabble, we are now facing the same dilemmas over and over again . What in the world is happening to our nation ?..


The hottest headline for this year is the Maguindanao massacre or the so called Ampatuan massacre that really grossed out many of us. It happened last November 23, 2009 nd 10:00am-03:00pm in the town of the Ampatuan in Maguindanao province, on the island of Mindanao . The reason for this bloody and unmerciful slaughter was nothing else but political mess, the rivalry between the Mangudadatu clan and the Ampatuan clan. Fifty-seven persons – including the number one adversary of the Ampatuan's, Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu's wife, Genalyn Tiamson-Mangudadatu to file her and her family's certificates of candidacy (COCs), as well as 37 journalists covering the event – were confirmed killed when heavily armed men intercepted the group on its way to the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Maguindanao. (Philippine Star)


At least there are 57 unarmed civilians who were victims of a country extensive to cynical election violence. Many of these dead bodies were supporters and relatives of Esmael Mangudadatu who is running for the position challenging the main suspect, Datu Unsay mayor Andal S. Ampatuan , of this carnage . Mangudadatu said that reports had reached him that his rivals threatened to chop him to pieces once he filed his COC, and felt the presence of 37 journalists would deter such and attack . This distraught spot of the more often than not makes the main act for its long-running Muslim pro-self-rule insurgence. And so this massacre evidently bares a national melancholy; the ferocious competition for political power among the country’s aristocrats that has the power over an immoderate of national means-and the others were frantic to go and protect their clasp of supremacy. But then, who would ever thought that power would be the reason for the death of 57 people ?..


Reports in television footage showed that there are bodies slouched around the vehicles; some were found in a so called "mass grave". The signs of killing showed that a high powered mechanical digger was used in burying some of the bodies and vehicles. In line with this, MalacaƱang condemned the brutal happening as a “supreme act of inhumanity that is scar on our nation," and promised to bring justice ..


When we do have enemies usually we will do anything to hurt them; maybe in an emotional or physical way. But when you talk in a political manner, MURDERING is the ultimate tool in eliminating their rivals. "Many regard these posts as personal entitlements and their enemies are rival political families," says Benito Lim, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines. "If they cannot come to an arrangement, then eliminating a rival is an option."


Although the Governor, Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. and Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. are now locked behind bars, the police are still searching everywhere for more clues to determine some strong evidences. The searching for answers eventually lead to more questions rather than by answering it. The Ampatuan's were said to have an "Unexplained Wealth". Wealth I mean, more than 20 Mansions are said to be theirs all over the Philippines. Wow! And I thought Manny Pacquaio is a very rich person already !..


As for our Muslim brothers they have this revenge-driven clan war - or "rido" as it is called in - between the two families. Because of that the concerned area was put under Martial Law .. But last December 12, the law became ineffective ..


This is just to avoid warlordism that is said to be unique in some parts of areas. However, these kind of political wars are not only seen in Mindanao it is also addressing some northern areas like ABRA that is a byword of political grudge. Anyhow only in Mindanao was widely established which gave a wrong impression to other parts of the area , many tourist were afraid in visiting the place. This affects the tourism income of the island and some cities ..


The incident saddened a lot of us, because again this will hinder us from achieving our goal- to regain the great and glorious years of our mother nation. As the hope of our nation, we the youth should be aware of what is happening in our society today, we should break boundaries and build bridges in reaching out to others. Thinking about it, It made me wonder why such a horrifying thing happened in such a small place ?. I mean, why Maguindanao ?. Are the people behind it really are that selfish ?. Or are they just craving for more power ?. Or maybe they just did that because they can ?.


Never say you don’t care-we should break the INFINITE SILENCE ..


Freedom.Progress.JUSTICE

31 comments:

  1. Guys, please comment or give your insights about the Massacre .. We know that you have lots to say about this ..

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  3. wow..mura siya ug summary :)) tama jud..

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  4. this is a really great issue.. and i wanna give a compliment to your background especially the slideshow.. hehe.. great job!!

    we know that this issue is "mainit" pa in the ears of many.. especially, I who really listened to every speck of news about this massacre thingy..

    everytime i heard the news, i always felt this fear, that, maybe someday, we could experience this kind of tragedy here in our place, especially if Maguindanao is just located also in Mindanao..


    What really caught my attention is this phrase: NEVER SAY YOU DON'T CARE-WE SHOULD BREAK THE INFINITE SILENCE..

    and that's right.. we must achieve the freedom that the people wanted. We must give the justice to the righteous. cause who will pursue this kind of objectives, other than us?? other than the youth?? are we all just gonna wait for a miracle to happen?? miracles cant happen without any prior actions..

    so, guys, lets take a move now!!

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  5. How can the Ampatuan's involved in the massacre even sleep at night ?.. I mean, with all the 57 souls wandering and screaming for JUSTiCE, how can they still think of power and fame ?.. Truly, the Ampatuan's put a shame in our fatherland .. They should be beheaded !! JUSTiCE for the victims!

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  6. BITAW!!!! peace!! stop media killings!!!

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  7. nice One ,KENSEE :D ..pangit pa au amo blog .i was inspired by urs ^^ thnxx so

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  8. Shout for JUSTICE!!!

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  9. this incident in maguindanao.. ky nakatatak na sa hunahuna sa uban na danger zone ang mindanao.. ..
    greed sa power og wealth ang root aning tanan,, .

    HOPE before christmas, naa nay disisyon ang korte.. .. and justice was served!!

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  10. we should all be aware of whats happening around us because these things can greatly affect our country and society. *char lng. hahahaha!

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  11. Its really Frustrating to hear about the heartless evil people who are responsible of all the killings that are happening in our country right now..

    mag bisaya ko ha?? hehehe

    para sakoa kai grab gyud ka luoie ang mga na biktima ani nga nahitabo.. mga inosente nga mga tao ang namatai na walai kalaban laban.. klaro kaayo POLITICA gyud ang likod ani nga binuhatan.. cguro gi pang patay nila mga inosente na mga journalist kai tungod dili cla gusto ma ipa labas ang mga gina tago nila nga sikreto sa ilang lugar.. pero tanawa karn tungod sa nahitabo na bulabog na nuon tanan.. bisag sa gawas nasod kai naka balo na ani nga nahatabo dari sa pilipinas den kadugayan kai maka apekto na nuon ni satong country.. hahai naunsa naman ning pilipinas oie.. JUSTICE to ALL.. ~peace

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  12. Seriously! What are all these guys after for? Power? Money? Publicity? And all of these is worth 57 lives to take? Its not even enough to pay for a single life itself. How could they possibly murder these innocent lives feeling like they're the god of the universe, they are not even the Pres. of the Philippines! And even so, what law could possibly allow such barbaric and gruesome act?
    What is their idea of politics? A kill-everyone-else-to-win game? So they can just terminate anyone who stands in the way, even anyone who just saw the termination be terminated? And by termination means killing them mercilessly? It's just so down right low!
    Honestly, instead of gaining power they just sank themselves to the lowest of the low! It's so frustrating and sad at the same time. Why can't we just live in unity and refrain ourselves from killing each other?

    Its a good thing that there are still people who care by expressing their voices through blogs and such. After all, pens are still sharper than swords. Though in this case, its more of a typing than writing but you know what i mean anyway.
    Battling with the use of a black-and-white weapon is never an act of cowardice. In fact, its the most courageous thing that, we, youth can possibly do to start making the change we ought to be doing.
    I fully support these bloggers in crying for justice to all the victims of these massacre and to all other victims of political injustice, and I am not just saying that cause I am a KEENSEE myself. I am saying that because I am a Filipino who cares for her mother country.

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  13. wow! galing naman.
    it talks about injustice that is happening rigth
    now.it can be related to the maguindanao masacre.
    galing!!

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  14. i want to thanks the bloggers of this such awesome site .. now im much aware of what is happening in our country today .. bec. of this blog. In the othe part of the story .. i kinda like what happened .. like the Maguindanao Massacre .. bec, by this the barbarians in the area were finally exposed . the sad part is .. 57 people lives were wasted ..
    you see .. not only in mindanao is very chaotic nowadays .. also in some parts of the country .. or may i say the country itself.
    we are in a very democratic country ...but then we dont used it in a good way .. many politicians as well as activist are very abusive . many of us wants power .. power to over-rule the many .. many of us are currupt.. greedy to share their richness.
    Think .. think..think ..

    are we really willing to progress ? or it will always gonna be on a piece of paper ..

    when are we gonna trust .. again.
    When are we gonna say " I care for you"
    ans lastly when are we gonna say " WE are One "

    I shout for Peace . :o

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  16. We condemn the Maguindanao Massacre not only because of the brutal and barbaric murder of those who sought only to exercise their political rights, but more importantly because it unravels in a most telling way, the age-old problem of a feeble state that has allowed private armed groups to lord it over territories in exchange for propping up the national leadership and its cohorts at the local and national levels. Whatever blight we now face does not fall simply on the hands of the alleged perpetrators of the Maguindanao Massacre. The blood that flowed in Maguindanao stains the hands of the President who ultimately commands the forces of political control and coercion in this country. We demand that justice be done with all transparency and in the quickest possible time.

    -Philippine Lasallian Family Statement on the
    Maguindanao Massacre

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  17. ..okeii..great..! Really it is one of the greatest issue that we are encountering right now. I am a journalist since i was in elementary til high school and i want to say my own perspective.

    I want to inculcate to the minds of each and everyone of you that we have different perspective regarding different topics. And i have my own perspective regarding that topic.

    I am very hurt when i heard from a friend that Mindanao is considered as a place for barbaric peoples because of the bombings, killings and many terrorists attacks.

    Though there are still so many places here in Mindanao that is peaceful enough but not so. Yes, peace is very much unattainable nowadays especially now because of this dreadful event, Maguindanao Massacre.

    It is the right of everyone to have or to handle a place or nation as long as they know that they can do it. And killing or taking other people's life is not for us human to do but God.

    He is the only one who can define what is right and what is wrong and the Ampatuans doesn't have the right to do such an event that killed many unarmed civilians especially our fellow journalist.

    I condemn not only the killing itself but the people behind it. It only shows that they are afraid that they will lose what they have or something if ever someone will file a candidacy against them. It hurts though.

    Political problems is the real reason behind it and the "pagkagahaman" to the power that they are already acquiring. As a youth myself,i know that one way of showing my concern is praying for those who had died at the massacre.

    Prayer changes things. Worry changes nothing. So instead of worrying about what we can't do, we should think of what God can do for us. Let us offer prayers to the victims of the massacre. May the perpetual light shine upon them and may they rest in peace.

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  18. When are we gonna attain justice within our country?

    What can we youth do?

    I am hurt of the massacre. Yes, Maguindanao or Mindanao's name is widespread not only here in our country but to the others countries as well.

    You see, Amputan Jr is very greedy of power and supremacy. They want to conquer everyone so that what the place had stored for each and everyone will be theirs.

    The Maguindanao massacre also considered as the Ampatuan massacre (the place where the mass grave were found). It is the deadliest event especially to the journalist itself.

    The death was very unexplainable. Can you imagine? They were shot on their genitals and private parts!

    What we have right now in our country is very a great problem.And all that it implies is that our government can't do anything about it. Do you think that the martial law declared by the president can help resolve the problem that is occurring right now? I guess not.

    The troops that were sent to the place are hundreds but still justice haven't been given to the 57 civilians until this day, the 24th day of finding justice.

    But as a youth i can say that we should never cease praying. never quit trusting. Trust God's wisdom. Trust God's timing. Trust God for everything. It may take a while before they will attain the justice that they want but i know that in god's time it will come and there will be peace not only her at Mindanao but to the whole place.

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  19. Shout for Justice!
    What a brilliant blog you have guys. Making the people realize the importance of human rights, as well as awaken the people in the political problems and critics. I'm so proud of you. Go DEVCOM!

    It is a good beginning of you both. I'm looking forward for your next issues, features and news. I love th concept!

    Keep it up!


    ps: im so proud of you yut ren.. mwaa! love u lots. :)


    -Clang-

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  20. "Gabe, Sheila Mae R. said...
    Seriously! What are all these guys after for? Power? Money? Publicity? And all of these is worth 57 lives to take?"

    -Agree.

    I don't think that Politics and Leaders can be trusted at present, as what we have seen in every news and every newspaper pages: every trouble is connected to politics.

    The travesty does weigh one down. It’s the politics of impunity that is prevalent in this country — they steal with impunity, they cheat with impunity, they kill with impunity. Since the time of Spain, Filipinos have been silenced. We must learn to speak up, and speak up sensibly and without fear.

    -about ur blog...uhmm..its okay good headers and slideshow though...keep up the good work agtang and renelyn....

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  21. Oh my God, these pictures of the massacre really are hopeless to look at. Why are there people who just treat life just like a toy? How rude and inhumane of them. Let's pray for our fellow Filipinos who have died innocently. May they find peace and justice in God's love and mercy.

    Nice job girls for the very interesting topic and lay-out. ♥

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  22. this is a great blog. it shows that young people care for peace. we must not tolerate things just because we are not affected. the young ones must take their responsibilities in this country merely by blogging. :)

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  23. “Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, Something you do, Something you are, And something you give away.” - Robert Fulghum

    I love that you have created this blog, Ren and Allyn Gale, and that others, especially Keensee, have begun this important discussion, this beginning of the making of peace.

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  24. Wow! PEACE should reign here in this world and not CHAOS!

    try to be makONTENTOoooOooo.. Yun lang! Para walang gulo..

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  25. good job ren and allyn! you have people reading your blog. congratulations! keep on writing to inform people, to influence, and to make a difference
    -trel b

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  26. Thanks Inay trel. it's a great honor for us to write this kind of topic. and also we want people to know that there are young folks who truly cares in what is happening in our society today .

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  27. cpongrats to both of you. huge following, huh?
    keep blogging... even if it's no longer a requirement. good luck!

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