Elusive justice

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines deplores the intensifying culture of impunity and worsening state of human rights in the country, especially as we remember the ruthless and barbarous attack on journalists ever recorded.

On Nov. 23, 2009, 32 journalists were killed in what was described as one of the most fatal attacks on media practitioners. The Maguindano Massacre resulted in tagging the Philippines as one of the deadliest and most dangerous countries for journalists. Eight years have already passed but justice remains elusive for the victims and their families. In fact, the primary suspect, Andal Ampatuan Sr., is already dead. The court even granted his son, Sajid Islam Uy Ampatuan, and 70 others responsible for the brutal attack, a temporary freedom.

We call on the Filipino people to unite and combat state-perpetrated violence and all forms of repression that target the people’s democratic rights.

JOSE MARI T. CALLUENG, national president, College Editors Guild of the Philippines