‘End culture of impunity,’ global media group asks RP gov’t

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urged the Philippine government to end the “culture of impunity" in the country as it released its final report on the November 23 massacre in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. The report, which was read before participants of the candle-lighting ceremony on Saturday commemorating the second month since the massacre, is the result of a fact-finding mission to Maguindanao from December 5 to 10, which the IFJ sponsored. The report urged “power holders in the Philippines to act urgently" on all the IFJ recommendations, in order to end the country’s widely-criticized “culture of impunity" that allows for the murders of journalists to continue, as tragically underscored by the November 23rd massacre. “Impunity" is a legal term that means “exemption from punishment," and has been widely used in recent years to describe the recurring situation of killings that remain unsolved and killers who remain scot-free. “The massacre undermined the terrible dangers that journalists face. It also highlights the inability and unwillingness of the state to ensure the protection and safety of journalists who are seeking to perform their duties," the report said. With the elections coming up, the report also urged the government to exert all efforts to protect local media against the risks of political violence. “This massacre, coming at the very beginning of the 2010 election process, not only undermines the process but has dealt a blow to democracy and free media in the Philippines. The call on the government to ensure media is able to report fairly and freely in the election campaign without undue risk," the report said. The report also pointed to the fact that only one suspect, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., has been slapped charges for the killings. At least 100 gunmen are believed to have been involved in the massacre, but only Andal Jr., a son of the head of the Ampatuan clan, has been charged directly with the killings and brought to trial. “He is pleading not guilty," the report said. The report also noted the promotion of Maj. Gen. Alfredo Cayton, who was at the time of the massacre the commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division deployed in Maguindanao. Cayton was relieved from his position but later cleared of negligence and subsequently promoted to Army Vice Commander. The fact-finding mission urged a “full investigation" of Cayton’s case, as well as of allegations that a number of police officials were involved in the massacre. The fact-finding mission also noted the restrictions to media coverage of the trial, adding that “observers and human rights groups must have full, open access to legal proceedings." Finally, the government “is urged not to reimpose martial law ahead of the May 10 elections." The attendees of the candle-lighting ceremony, led by the November 23 Movement, including family members of slain victims, welcomed the report and urged the Arroyo administration to bring the killers to justice. “Sana bigyan niya po ng pansin para bago po man lang siya bumaba sa kanyang pwesto, mayroon po siyang magawang maganda sa mga journalists na nabibiktima po dahil lang sa gahaman sa kapangyarihan. Justice now!," said Editha Tiamson, widow of UNTV General Santos driver Daniel Tiamson, who was among the 32 slain journalists. The fact-finding mission included the IFJ, the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA), the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Indonesia’s Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Australia’s Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance, the Thai Journalists’ Association (TJA), International News Safety Institute (INSI), International Media Support (IMS), the Institute for Studies on the Free Flow of Information (ISAI), The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Australia’s Media, Entertainment, and Arts Alliance (MEAA), Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA) and Union Network International (UNI). – JV, GMANews.TV