What is your comment on the Maguindanao massacre?

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: No words can aptly describe one’s feelings for the outrageous massacre of lots of Maguindanaoans by PGMA allies who seem to be untouchable.

Jae Delos Santos, Muntinlupa City: Barbaric and perfectly evil. The criminals should be punished and skinned to death.

What now, PGMA?

Rose Leobrera, Manila: What will GMA do now? Her ally in that remote area has committed the most gruesome crime in history. This is all about power, which has turned men into demons lurking on earth. Condemnation is useless. If war is inevitable in getting these people to pay for their crime, then let there be war. So many sins have been committed by these people against society. Peace is nowhere in sight in Mindanao.

Dennis Acop, Baguio City: How does one comment on the most gruesome and cold-blooded murders that have once again put the Philippines on the map of infamy? A senior colleague in the security industry was so right when he said that the only way subordinates can become corrupt and wayward is when their leaders are. If GMA had not been indebted to them, the Ampatuans would not have turned into the monsters that they are. The massacre is the culmination of the arrogance and moral decadence the Ampatuans have sunk themselves into. I also agree with an article that said the massacre was not a display of strength but of cowardice. GMA, the entire world is watching us, watching you.

Vic Sanchez, Pasig City: This heinous crime is an act of bestiality that must be condemned by the entire civilized world and its perpetrators must be brought to justice. However, I am very pessimistic that this will ever happen under the Arroyo administration because the Ampatuans are untouchables; ergo, they act with impunity in their fiefdom. They are untouchable because they are useful tools of the Arroyo administration, especially during elections. Let us hope and pray that the next president will have the moral courage and political will to act on this matter decisively.

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: I would like to ask PGMA that question directly.

Marc Avisado, Ilocos Sur: The Maguindanao massacre is considered a terrorist act against innocent and unarmed civilians. It’s a premeditated mass slaughter. It’s reminds me of the late Ugandan dictator Idi Amin whose regime mutilated, cannibalized, raped and murdered innocent civilians. The Arroyo government has tolerated armed civilian volunteer organizations (CVOs) for years in Mindanao. The butchers are armed government-sponsored militias. The Ampatuan warlords are political allies of the current administration. Are they untouchables? Why can’t the police detain alleged suspects for investigation? Let’s wait and see if the rule of law prevails over debt of gratitude.

Mandy Rillon, Cabanatuan City: People who are greedy for absolute power committed the Maguindanao massacre. They are barbaric, evil, and unforgivable. The culprits should be treated with the maximum strength of the law, but the government is acting deaf, mute, and blind. Alas! Philippine government is an utter failure in this regard!

Juanito Lumibao, Jr., Gapan City: Is removing the Ampatuans from the Lakas-Kampi-CMD coalition enough to give justice to the victims? Is the Arroyo administration afraid of the Ampatuans? Are the 2004 election anomalies the prime reason why the Ampatuans seem untouchable? The victims need justice. I hope our government takes the necessary action.

Punish without delay

Patrick Miranda, Marikina City: The Maguindanao massacre is one of the most evil acts I’ve ever seen. The government should stop talking and start going down hard on the perpetrators.

James Law, Quezon City: Those responsible should be dealt with the full extent of the law. They are demonic and have no conscience at all.

Diana Balingcongan, USA: What kind of animals are they, killing innocent people like they were some kind of animal? I hope the government will do everything it can to solve this. They should put aside alliances and punish those who need to be punished.

Jasmine Aurora Santos, Zambales: The perpetrators fear nothing; their acts are truly deplorable, ruthless, and unacceptable. They must pay for the damage that they’ve done, for the tears that flow from the eyes of the victims’ families, for the aspirations that they’ve broken, and for the hopes and lives they’ve taken away. The authorities must take action and show us that there’s still justice in our country.

Juan Deveraturda, Zambales: The whole nation is shocked, outraged, and mourning for what happened in Maguindanao. The government forces should, without any further delay, arrest all the perpetrators of this most heinous crime and put them in jail. The masterminds should not be allowed to go scot-free. The death penalty is not even enough as a punishment for those responsible for the crime. They deserve to be burned alive or to die at the stake!

Ruby Ann Santos, Nueva Ecija: It’s embarrassing; very immoral. I hope the criminals will be persecuted.

Ruben Viray, Makati City: Before it’s too late, the government must act swiftly and decisively to bring all the perpetrators to justice irrespective of their position and political affiliations. Retaliation on the part of the victim’s clan is looming and the government should do something quick. My heart bleeds for all the victims, especially members of the media and their orphans.

Jomar Nazar, Nueva Ecija: All those involved must be punished and persecuted for their immoral act.

An act of cowardice

Rey Onate, Palayan City: It was cold-blooded mass murder done by cowards against women, members of the media, and unarmed individuals in the sultanate of the Ampatuans. I’m sure these murderers have retreated in well-prepared and supplied hideouts in the sultanate. Don’t be surprised if the GRP sends a diplomatic mission to appease the royal family of that sultanate. ‘Yung mga police doon ay traydor at duwag. ‘Yung GRP army commander ay pinanatili ang status quo kaysa ma-relieve.

Utterly evil

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: It’s the devil’s work of art. I do not know the right term for this latest Maguindanao massacre.

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: The Maguindanao massacre deserves the strongest condemnation from the Filipino people. Killing for political reasons is already deplorable in itself. The ruthless murder of innocent bystanders, especially journalists, goes beyond diabolic. I refuse to believe that this is just all about politics. It is barbaric, the ways of the cavemen.

Aaron Rivera, Nueva Ecija: The only people capable of doing such things are beasts. What they did is inhuman. If they at least had a soul, they would be bothered by their conscience by now. The government must act immediately. Justice must be served. What happened just proved that Mindanao isn’t safe.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City:  Whoever committed this barbarity doesn’t deserve to live. Why? Because they are inhuman and incapable of reason, love, and respect. They are heartless creatures that don’t have the right to live.

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, Laguna: The Maguindanao massacre was an inhuman and cruel act committed by some brutal perpetrators. Authorities should go against these perpetrators.

James Gaw, Quezon City: Those responsible should be dealt with to the full extent of the law. They are demonic and have no conscience at all.

Camille Sison, Cabanatuan City: The Maguindanao massacre, I can say, is one of the most horrendous killings in the history of our country. This slaughter not only shook the Philippines, but also other countries. Safety is now a very big question to Filipinos. The lives of innocent people were put to an end because of those infernal slayers.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: The devil’s work, no more no less!

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: The whole nation, with the world joining in, was still jubilant over the magnificent twin victories of Manny Pacquiao and Efren Peñaflorida, when people with no human values committed this beastly massacre. My sympathy goes to the victims and their families.

Catherine Cajucom, Nueva Viscaya: The people involved in the Maguindanao massacre are heartless and soulless. They killed even innocent people. It tells me that no one is safe; even concerned authorities cannot provide security anymore.

Private armies should be disarmed

Mae-Anne dela Cruz, Gapan City: The gruesome massacre in Maguindanao is the worst case of political violence in the country and it was learned that Andal Ampatuan Jr. is the prime suspect in the said massacre, having more than 500 people in his private army. Lawless violence must be stopped once and for all by disarming that private army of Ampatuan clan. The government should implement the full force of the law and all those perpetrators involved be put to justice.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: The massacre is motivated by the political greed of the Ampatuans and patently perpetrated by their PAGS; thus, the former should be made accountable. The government should immediately immobilize them and conduct a search on the houses and hideouts of suspected perpetrators for added evidence.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: The Maguindanao massacre showed not government’s failure but stupidity. They spend time conducting televised hearings on personal and private affairs, but they’ve never held a hearing in aid of legislation on dismantling political warlords. I can bet my last centavo that nothing will happen to this crime, except its being added to our long list of unsolved cases. The lesson we’ll learn in this incident is not to vote, in 2010, people who are beholden, dependent on, or connected to pressure groups in any way or manner. Let us not forget the burdens the pressure groups can impose on the future president to exact a return on their investment. 

An act of terrorism

Dave Velasco, Marinduque: The Maguindanao massacre is a brazen act meant to instill fear and terror in those who cross warlords. The terrorists of the Maguindanao massacre are a bunch of illiterates and madmen who are not worthy of existing in our civilized society. The Maguindanao massacre is a unique case of terrorism that needs an in-depth study of ridoism and political warlordism.

Felix Ramento, Manila: It makes me sick. And to think that it was not even the work of extremists. To avoid any complications, the government should ask those people to go after their own people. A good majority of them would not approve of this utterly evil act. Let the MILF or MNLF do the police work kung takot ang PNP.

This is bad for tourism

Buenvenido Arban, Laguna: This is not good for our country. I’m sure many tourists na naman ang matatakot pumunta dito.

All in the name of power

John Roel Cheng, Cabanatuan City: The incident only proves that Philippine politics just got dirtier and fiercer; it also shows what a politician can do just to remain influential and powerful.

Reylee Agustin, Nueva Ecija: It is evil. Is a political position really so important that some would need to kill for it?

Louella Brown, Baguio City: The Maguindanao massacre is proof of the great power of guns, goons, and gold in this country. Only demons are capable of such an act.

Alex Jacinto, Gapan City: This massacre is evil, driven by egoistic, greedy people who refuse to be simply challenged, even by suffrage.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: The Maguindanao massacre shows how desperate power-insane trapos are to remain in power, thinking they’re above the laws of both God and men.

Carlito Pajaro, Quezon City: What happened in Maguindanao is a product of political dynasties. Who is to be blamed? Politicians who don’t want to give up their positions.

Revive the death penalty

Denny Muñoz, Metro Manila: Votes delivered in previous elections may have brought the widest grin on PGMA’s face; but corpses seven months prior to her stepping down from office are wretched going-away presents for a leader who may have worked hard to leave a legacy in her nine years as President. The look of disdain on PGMA’s face, like that of her notable “I am sorry…” speech aired on nationwide television, may not be enough this time, when over 60 bodies have been accounted for, dug from the Ampatuans’ makeshift burial ground, where the depth of six feet was not enough to conceal evidence, like vehicles brought about by the Ampatuans’ series of ambuscades. This only means one thing: That the massacre was premeditated. Congress must now revive the death penalty for heinous crimes like mass murder, rape with homicide, massacre, and genocide.

The journalists died with their boots on

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: The Maguindanao journalists, I’m sure, knew what they were up to. We people in Mindanao know that those journalists wrote their own epitaphs; we die with our boots on. We in Zamboanga Pen are no strangers to the Mindanao massacre. In the Ides of March 2004, Siocon was torched, leaving 45 dead and, worst of all, the police hero that saved the rest of the town was finished in Payatas, Quezon City this year. Where were you, Manila yellow journalists? You didn’t ask people to pray for the repose of his soul, did you?

Another dark day in Philippine history

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: November 23 stands as one of the darkest days in Philippine history. Those who perpetrated the horrible bloodbath in Maguindanao are animals of the lowest order. This is the time for PGMA to show that the Ampatuans are no sacred cows and that the full force of the law would prevail. Mas malaki pa kaysa sa utang na loob ni PGMA sa mga Ampatuan ang pananagutan niya sa bayan kung patatagalin pa ang imbestigasyon sa malagim na pangyayaring ito.

Ethel Kate Cruz, Nueva Ecija: These killings will never be erased from our history. It is so distressing. The people behind the killings should be punished right away.

This culture of violence is hard to stop

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: As I always quote, the Lord Buddha said, “Violence begets violence.” That is why we Buddhists practice Ahimsa, which is the practice of not harming any living thing. Christians massacred Buddhists and Muslims massacred Christians and Buddhists. The Inquisition, Crusades, Jihad, all of these stem from the thinking that kami lang ang anak ng Diyos. The MNLF war in the 1970s spun tales of government soldiers massacred, beheaded, with their sex organs stuffed in their mouths, while government soldiers cut off the ears of their POWs and wore these around their necks. Even if unproven, this psychological warfare has only led to more atrocities up to now. This culture is hard to stop.

Expect kid-glove treatment

Ed Alawi, Davao City: It is condemned worldwide, but the GMA administration seems to be whitewashing the brutal crime. So, expect the perpetrators to go scot-free.

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Pareho ng mga nakaraang scandals ng kasalukuyang administration, lutong hilaw ang kalalabasan.

Patrick Miranda, Marikina City: I believe that with the gravity of Ampatuans’ case, whether he’s guilty or not, he should have been cuffed. Why wasn’t he?

Cherry Nor Montero, Nueva Ecija: It only shows how helpless the national government is in dealing with dastardly acts. Despite the state of emergency declared by the President, the authorities concerned are pussyfooting in their treatment of the prime suspects. Is the present occupant of Malacañang worried that the Ampatuans might spill the beans if and when she decides to lower the boom on the perpetrator/s of the massacre? The massacre further shows the utter disregard for the law by the persons concerned. As the saying goes, “Kapag hangin ang itinanim, bagyo ang aanihin.”

The two sides of justice

Loi Castillo, Davao City: Well, it only shows the double standard treatment of the suspects. If you are a poor guy and the police considers you a suspect, tapos ka na agad. Nasa TV ka na. Wala nang sasabihin pa ang mga government officials na there is due process. But if you are like Ampatuan or a consul’s relative accused of the crime, well, government will say, “Ah, we cannot just pick up the suspects because may due process yan dapat.” Pakiusapan pa na sumuko. Hindi ba kinikilabutan ang PNP sa mga nangyari?

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: In this country, there are only two kinds of justice: When you are attached to Malacañang, you’re powerful and untouchable; if you are not, only prayers can help and save you.

May justice be done

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: The media and the international community have said it all. I don’t want to add to the government’s burden. The wheels of justice have started to grind, though slow.

They took the lives of many innocent people

Margareth Mauricio, Nueva Ecija: Why do they have to kill those innocent victims, if they have any trouble with their opponent in the politics? They don’t have to take it personally. They’ve caused so much trouble in our land.

Bernadete Regala, Cabanatuan City: Justice for the victims of Maguindanao massacre! This is the most horrible massacre I’ve ever heard about in our country. Around 60 innocent people were ruthlessly killed just for the benefit of others. The government must do something to stop this kind of brutality, especially in Mindanao. If this is all about politics, the people behind this have absolute greed for power. Let’s just all pray that this won’t just end here.

Winlene Belmonte, Nueva Ecija: They took the lives of many innocent people. Hence, lives should also be the payment. The mastermind of this bloodshed must be punished and the victims must attain their justice. The brains of this slaughter are such wretched persons. They’re immoral and evil. How can they kill others just to threaten everyone? My god, our government should do something so this will never happen again.

Genesis Ongpauco, Nueva Ecija: They are the worst people ever. They thought nothing of taking the lives of many people. They are so immoral and violent. They will surely go to the deepest places of hell. May they suffer for the lives they took.

Sarah Mudlong, Cabanatuan City: I feel sad, because there were so many innocent victims. I feel disappointed, because our government can’t prevent that thing from happening. Or, maybe I guess they are the masterminds of that massacre because the elections are coming.

The perpetrators are heartless

Clarizza de Leon, Nueva Ecija: How heartless they are! It feels embarrassing that there are people who could do that. They are not just destroying others’ lives, but their life, too.

Ma. Laarni Raena Sanchez, Nueva Ecija: It’s the cruelest! Those who did this deserve to be punished. What they did was immoral, inhumane, a mortal sin! The government needs to give justice to the victims and punish these merciless creatures. The desire to grab power has become the root of all evil.

Melanie dela Cruz, Cabanatuan City:

In this massacre, they only proved that they can do anything to win an election. The people who did that have no hearts. The government needs to take actions on that as soon as possible to give justice to the victims.

Who do they think they are?

Mary Ann Lizardo, Nueva Ecija: It was very harsh and inhuman deed. It is so hard for me to think how those heartless and unkind people could kill their countrymen brutally. The Maguindanao massacre only shows that there are many people who refuse to comply with the law. And our government must take a move to find justice for those innocent people.

Chrisarah Joy Estrella, Nueva Ecija: When I heard about the news, I felt sorry for the victims and, at the same time, I gnashed my teeth in anger at those who made this inhuman, cruel, and unforgivable act. Who do they think they are, God who has the capacity to take away lives in an instant? The authorities must do something about this. When will they start to move? When it’s already too late? They have no mercy. They are not humans by doing that. They don’t have the right to kill people.

The Arroyo administration cannot handle big problems like this. The government must ensure it won’t happen again

Airho Millagracia, Cabanatuan City: I directly condemn the Maguindanao massacre. Why do they have to kill people that way? It was like they were just killing animals. They killed around 60 people just to retain their power. How inhumane! It seemed like they didn’t know the importance of life. The government should make their move on these brutal killings. If they don’t, those brutal killers will think that it’s just alright to kill their fellowmen. Mrs. President, use your power now before it’s too late for us Filipinos.

Meecko Camacho, Nueva Ecija: I feel very disappointed. This massacre only proves how dirty politics in our country is. Good politicians are not safe anymore, because those heartless people who want to have their position can execute them. Authorities have to provide people their full security or else they should act so that this heartbreaking massacre won’t happen again.

Norberto Robles, Taguig: If not handled right and expeditiously by the government, this might result in a shift in power centers in the ARMM. Sadly, media hip-shooting will exacerbate the incident.

Gil Planas, Davao City: Whoever among the presidentiables with the guts to abate this “familiar” political scenario in Maguindanao must win.

Could this be the work of the MILF?

Cris Rivera, Rizal: It’s the price our government has to pay for having a toothless law against loose firearms; a law, without action, is useless.

The killers are now shaking in their boots

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: So far, culpability for the massacre points to the Ampatuans. They are the ones who have the motive and resources to commit it and get away with it.

 Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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