Government's tolerance of private armies undermines the

very foundations of democracy

November 26|2009

There is no denying that the November 23 carnage in Maguindanao province is the latest
product of the culture of impunity that has pervaded under the leadership of Gloria Macapagal-
Aroyo. Not only does it confirm the Philippines' status as the most dangerous place for
journalists outside of Iraq, but more so, it reflects a weakened state of democracy.

We are enraged not only because more than 50 innocent people were savagely slaughtered
and that many of them were women, journalists, and peace advocates—we are outraged of the
tolerance that the government has afforded to powerful political clans and warlords!

While the Arroyo administration has always boasted of its iron hand in crushing armed
uprisings, legitimate mass demonstrations and protest actions, and insurgencies, never did it lift
a finger against the maintenance of private armies and militias by political dynasties. Such
private armies have long been in existence and have been associated with numerous crimes
and election-related violence, yet none had been disbanded—that is despicable tolerance and a
brazen disregard to the rule of law. Such tolerance has further turned the democracy in this
country into vapors. Worse, the government seems to be fierce against petty criminals but frail
against the godfathers of crimes.

As of this writing, the main suspect, Andal Ampatuan Jr., is at the hands of the authorities on
board an Air Force chopper and en route to GenSan airport for turnover to DOJ Sec.
Devanadera. This is, indeed, a positive development but we expect more than just a showcase
and stage-act. The people, together with the media, must keep the pressure on the government
to pursue an impartial and in-depth probe into the incident and bring the perpetrators of this
atrocious crime to justice.

The public, however, must be on the look-out for possible manipulations of these events. The
declaration of a state of emergency in Maguindanao province may well be a spring-board for
military interventions in the rest of the country. When we say "bring the criminals to justice" we
do not mean to address it with Martial Rule. Private militias must be disarmed and dismantled
and never should there be any let-up. Anything less would further embolden those who intend to
suppress the truth and that would mean the failure and even death of democracy in the
Philippines.#

A sister-in-law of one of the members of La Liga Politica was one of the innocent civilians whose lives were savagely
taken by armed militias, Monday, November 23, 2009.