'Probe of Maguindanao massacre must start reform process'

MANILA, Philippines - Calling the mass killings in Maguindanao “a tragedy of the first order,” two United Nations human rights experts said yesterday the investigations into the death of 57 people in an election-related massacre in Ampatuan town must be the start of a major reform process in the country.

Philip Alston, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and Frank La Rue, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, expressed dismay at what they described as “the wholesale killings of journalists” and emphasized that any broader inquiry into the political system would need to focus on ways and means of enhancing protection for journalists in the future.

The experts said authorities must also put in place immediate measures to prevent similar murders in the run-up to the elections next May.

They said the mass killings in Maguindanao, including journalists, must be seen as a watershed moment for the country and stressed the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The pre-meditated killing of political opponents, combined with a massive assault on the media, must be tackled at various levels that go well beyond standard murder investigations,” declared Alston and La Rue.

They said the first step is to ensure that the police investigation is “comprehensive and independent,” and must be followed by effective prosecutions of all those responsible for the killings.

In February 2007, Alston visited the Philippines upon the invitation of the government and said in his report on extrajudicial killings in the country that the military was in a state of denial concerning the numerous unexplained executions in which soldiers were implicated.

Alston and La Rue also said the massacre should spark extensive reflection “on the elite family-dominated manipulation of the political processes and the need to eliminate such practices in order to assure the future of democracy in the Philippines.

“This will require a thorough-going investigation of the broader context to be undertaken by a credible and independent body, appointed with full legal powers to carry out an effective inquiry and make recommendations.”

GMA attends wake in GenSan

President Arroyo yesterday attended the wake of slain media practitioners in General Santos City.

Mrs. Arroyo condoled with the victims’ families and promised them justice and the immediate arrest of suspects.

Last Monday, the Office of the President gave each of the victims’ families P100,000.

The President also said the government would provide educational scholarships to all the children of the slain victims.

“One of our primary concerns now is the future of the victims’ children. We are doing our best for that concern,” Mrs. Arroyo told the families in Visayan dialect.

In Koronadal City, the widow of slain journalist Ernesto “Bombo Bart” Maravilla is crying for justice.

Ivy Maravilla said her husband is a “dedicated” broadcast journalist who is also into public service.

Mrs. Maravilla said her husband assured her he would be safe when he informed her last Nov. 22 that he would cover the filing of certificate of candidacy of Buluan town Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu in Shariff Aguak.

Mrs. Maravilla, who works as a domestic helper in Kuwait, said her husband (quoting his text message) told her, “don’t worry, nothing wrong will happen to me.”

On Monday, Nov. 23, a close friend phoned to tell her that Bart was among those abducted and killed by more than 100 heavily armed men.

Mrs. Maravilla hastily came home from Kuwait.

At least a dozen of the slain journalists will be buried in General Santos City today.

Meanwhile, the body of UNTV reporter Daniel Tiamzon will arrive today in Manila. Tiamzon will have a two-day wake at the Loyola Memorial chapel and will be buried at the Loyola Memorial Park on Dec. 6.

“UNTV Channel 37 invites its media friends, partners and sympathizers to participate in receiving the body of Daniel Tiamzon and join in the convoy from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to UNTV studios and finally to Loyola Memorial Chapel.”

The convoy will pass the following route: NAIA Terminal 3- MIA Road- Roxas Blvd-EDSA- Loyola Guadalupe.

A vehicle for participating media partners shall be provided by UNTV. For inquiries, please contact Maris Federez (0906-5584779) or Ruth Navales (0927-6437643) or call 442-6244 loc 125,127 and 150.