Prisoners of tragedy decry comfy lives of Ampatuans

He was seen sneering on two occasions when he left his detention cell to attend hearings in Manila. His seemingly relaxed behavior was the mien of a guilt-free person who could soundly sleep at night. But in the homes of families who believe that Andal Ampatuan Jr. was behind the slaughter of 57 people in Maguindanao, being at peace has become an unusual disposition.

“Mahirap makatulog…Kahit na nasa kulungan na sila, masarap pa rin ang buhay nila, mas mahirap pa ang buhay naming nasa labas. (It’s hard to sleep….Even if they are already in detention, their lives are still better than those of us who are outside)," said Noemi Parcon, wife of Pronteira Balita publisher Joel Parcon, one of the 31 media workers who were massacred in Maguindanao's Ampatuan town. More than a month after the death of her husband, Noemi also feels like a prisoner, not in a detention cell like Ampatuan, but in the realm of fear and helplessness. She dreads the thought of raising her three children all by herself, one of whom will be graduating from college soon. “Yung isa gra-graduate na sa na sa nursing…Mahirap kasi pagkatapos niya, magrereview pa at kukuha ng board. Hindi ko na alam kung saan kukuha ng pangtustos (One of them is graduating from nursing school and will have to review for licensure exams. I do not know where to get the money for that)," said Noemi who receives meager salary from teaching at a South Cotabato high school. Just like Noemi, 16-year old Joseph Decena, brother of slain journalist Noel Decena of the Hiligaynon weekly Periodico Ini, also feels sentenced to a lifetime of uncertainty. Joseph would have taken up a course in agribusiness in two years time. His brother, whom he described as a very generous provider to their family of five living in North Cotabato, promised to send him to college. But Joseph’s dream had died with Noel. “Grabe ‘yung galit namin sa kanila. Masakit talaga. Gusto lang namin ng tahimik na buhay, tapos ganito ang ginawa nila (We are very angry with them. It really hurts because we just wanted a quiet life, but look at what they have done)," he said with a voice shaking in anger. [SEE: Ampatuan massacre ends budding journalist’s dream] Feast in prison? In a detention cell in General Santos City, the lives of Andal Jr.'s kin also seem to be much more carefree and comfortable than those of the victims' families. Reports from the local media said four members of the Ampatuan clan were being allowed to use mobile phones and eat catered food while being held over rebellion charges. Three policemen from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Central Mindanao were relieved from their duties for reportedly allowing the Ampatuans to eat outside their cells at Camp Fermin Lira Jr. The CIDG, however, maintains that the clan members are not being accorded special treatment. But Myrna Reblando, widow of slain Manila Bulletin reporter Alejandro Reblando, said she herself witnessed the special treatment given to the Ampatuans in the detention facility. “Nakita namin noong pumunta kami doon na ang dami-daming pagkain. Maya’t maya may dumarating na packed lunch (We saw that a lot of food items were being brought to them, and packed lunch was delivered frequently)," she said. Myrna felt insulted that the Ampatuans were able to feast on sumptuous meals in their detention cells while bereaved relatives of massacre victims like her struggle to feed their children. “Sila kaya pa ring magpipista, pero ang pamilya ko ni hindi naranasang mag-noche buena nung Pasko (They can still afford to have feast, but my family did not even have noche buena for Christmas)." What Myrna found even more insulting was the reported presence of helpers in the detention area to clean up the cell of the Ampatuans. “Kami nga walang katulong, Ako ang naglalaba ng mga damit namin. ‘Yung mga anak kong lalaki ang naglilinis sa bahay namin. (We do not have household helpers. I wash my own clothes and my sons clean our house.)" Myrna said she even had to sell a tricycle bought by her husband before the massacre to make ends meet. The money, however, was insufficient to provide for the needs of her seven children, three of whom are still studying. “Kawawa naman ‘yung mga anak ko. Kung mahirap na dati na dalawa kaming bumubuhay sa kanila, paano na kaya ngayong ako na lang? (I feel pity for my children. It was already difficult providing for them when my husband was still alive. What more now that I will do it alone?)" she said. [SEE: Journalist in Maguindanao massacre saw himself on front page] Prisoners of tragedy But more than just food and little comfort, it is justice that these families hunger for. Argie Caniban feels her life came to a standstill after her husband, John Caniban of the Sultan Kudarat Gazette, was killed in the massacre. After her husband's death, Argie chose to quit her job as a service crewmember in an ice cream parlor to take care of their nine-month old child, who is suffering from bronchial asthma. She now depends on the assistance given by the government to buy her child medicines, which cost her about P200 a day. Argie believes that the Ampatuan clan’s political influence continues even if its leading members had already been placed under the custody of authorities. “Pinapagamit sila ng cellphone e. Ibig sabihin, kung ano ang gusto nilang gawin, napapagawa pa nila sa labas. (They are being allowed to use cellphones. This only means that they can carry out whatever they plan to do through their forces outside the detention area)," she said. Myrna thinks that it is the Ampatuans' wealth and political influence that enable them to enjoy privileges not usually accorded to other detainees. With the clan's reported P1 billion worth of assets and strong ties with the Arroyo administration, Myrna fears that the Ampatuans are still capable of getting themselves off the hook. Although fearful of the Ampatuans' continuing clout, the families of the massacre victims are still hopeful that they can free themselves from the prison of tragedy and start their lives anew. “Mabigyan na sana ng mabilis na hustisya ang mga biktima ng masaker. Para maipagpatuloy na rin po namin ang buhay namin. (I hope justice is served immediately so that we can go on with our lives)," said Argie. - ARCS/LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV