Media group condemns Maguindanao massacre

More than 85 print and broadcast media practitioners from all over the Philippines have strongly condemned to the highest possible terms the brutal murder of hardworking media persons in Maguindanao on November 23, 2009.
The media personalities including this reporter, a member of The Alliance of Media Advocates (TAMA), an emerging association of media personalities advocating for Reproductive Health and Human Development all over the country, have issued a manifesto denouncing the massacre of more than 22 journalists all at one time, as the worst so far in Philippine history.

The carnage was an attack against freedom of expression and human rights in a democratic country.The manifesto also strongly calls the government to give justice for all those who perished in the brutal mass murder. The journalists who were killed have been performing their jobs and have nothing to do with the rivalries involving powerful political clans in the province.“We call on well-meaning citizens and fellow journalists in the country to join hands in condemning the senseless, heinous and barbaric act,” the manifesto continued.The media group also demands the national government to bring the perpetrators before the bar of justice without fear of retreat or favor for the preservation of peace, freedom and democracy.“We urge that the long arm of the law will finally pin down those responsible in the inhuman act. Stop media killings. Stop media repression!”At least five of the media men from Cotabato City who attended the Media Forum on Responsible Parenthood and Natural Family Planning at the Lotus Garden Hotel slated November 24-26, thanked PNGOC and the Population Commission for inviting them to the forum.Benjie Caballero, Benjie Fermilino and three other colleagues thanked God and Popcom for having been invited to the forum, if not, they were scheduled to join their media friends who perished in the brutal and senseless murder. (Nonong Santiago)    

Via Zamboanga Today