Maguindanao Massacre

1. The Maguindanao Massacre is the worst case of political feud in the history of the Philippines. It has brought questions on the system of governance of the Arroyo administration, nationally and internationally. Using the tools of analysis discussed in class, analyze the Maguindanao massacre using two (2) tools of analysis of your choice. Explain your answer comprehensively. (50 points) The Maguindanao massacre can be examined by using two tools of analysis discussed in class namely structural and class analysis. The Maguindanao massacre is not just a little killing of the greedy political clans. Through structural analysis, there is the EPC chart, meaning economic, political, and social, in which bigger problems in this case are needed to be tackled. The main root of this incident is the wickedness and hunger for power and money. Andal Ampatuan Sr. knows that he can be in power for a limited three-period only. Fear bothered his mind and for this reason he went to places and people to ask how to stay in the game politically. After going to Malacanang, he discovered that in order to remain in power, he has to hinder the upcoming elections from happening in Maguindanao and not let the Mangudadatus take control of their power, he will do anything to keep their name known and on top, which entered his mind “Martial law -- a condition when no election can be held in the province”. Comprehensively considering the facts and articles that I have read and researched, the Ampatuans indeed were very strategic in setting up this perfect plot, but they left a certain hole in their plan. They were going to kill and secretly bury the Mangudadatus to be reported as missing and the Abu Sayyaf would be the ones to blame, leaving out the thought of Mangudadatu asking for the help of the media, including 30 journalists, which led their brilliant execution to epic failure. It was the Ampatuans who ordered the act and planned the act, but the idea came from a certain person of the president in Malacanang. Second tool of analysis is the class analysis, which consists of the GBM procedure – government, business, and masses. For the government, isn’t it quite odd that these army men take possession of prohibited and expensive armed weapons? Only the government can allow and give permission for these weapons to be used or to be let loose in the country. As we all know that Andal Ampatuan Jr. has strong connections and alliance with the president of the Philippines, Gloria Arroyo. The massacre that happened in Maguindanao terrorizes to block government efforts to draw the investors to create needed new jobs and improve lives in Mindanao. Another business as I analyze it, is the business consisting of the acquisition of guns and heavy firearms, which points back to and is closely related again to the government. For the masses, there are three separate groups that were included and were nadamay – firstly, the innocent victims (the journalists, women, and relatives); second, the Ampatuan clans who murdered those people, and lastly, the citizens of our country who were terrified, shocked and alarmed of the massacre that took place in Maguindano. “With the deaths of at least 12 journalists in Monday’s massacre in Maguindanao, the Philippines has earned the dubious distinction as the world’s most dangerous place for journalists to work, according to an international media watchdog. …International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said the country... is the most dangerous place for journalists. The IFJ also scored the Arroyo government for allowing and failing to stop a ‘culture of impunity’ directed towards journalists in recent years. Before the massacre, the New York-based monitor Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) ranked the Philippines as the fourth deadliest country for journalists in terms of reporters’ deaths for 2009. In recent years, the Philippines got as far as the second most dangerous place behind Iraq.”1

2. In relation to the Authentic Christian Humanism, explain how the perpetrators of the massacre promote or violate the framework we use in class. (10 points) First of all, killing is a sin, for that I can say that the perpetrators of the massacre violated one of the commandments of the sovereign God, for it is written in the Scripture “Thou shall not kill.” What they did in this incident is not humane; they only thought of power and nothing else, they were blinded by the wickedness of money and promoted material and worldly things for themselves. I cannot see any pleasant act in this massacre, what they did is exactly the opposite of being friendly to other human beings. In addition, they commanded private armies to kill innocent lives, for that they didn’t only kill, but because of power, they also risked and damaged the lives of other families. I can say that they violated almost the entire framework that was talked about in class and that the Ampatuans were full of themselves thinking that they can get away with something historical and ruthless as this. 3. The killings of journalists in the massacre had tainted democracy in the country. It is perceived that an increase of extra judicial killings in a country reflects how a society promotes democracy. In line with this, what do you think is the best approach to change this situation? Using the approaches to process of change, what do you think would best work for the country? (30points) For the country, I think the best approach will be the sustainable development, according to the lesson, it “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their needs (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987)”5 and also because this process of sustainable development focuses on 5 aspects namely economical, social, political, environmental, and cultural. I also think it will be effective because this process, according to the class's lesson, “The sustainable development balances the fulfillment of human needs with the protection of the natural environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future”, and our country is rich in natural resources, if we can only do this I’m sure our country will improve.

4. Among the characteristics of good governance, what do you think is the most essential characteristic our government should have in order to maintain democracy in the country? (10points)

Among the 8 major characteristics of good governance, I am torn amongst accountable, transparent, equitable and inclusive, and the rule of law. In my opinion, there is no particular characteristic that can support and completely fill in the missing spot in which the government should have in order to maintain democracy in our country. We talked about good governance in class and our government certainly needs all of the characteristics to have proper democratic system in our country. But if I would weigh the most essential characteristic among them, I would choose accountable. Based on the class’s discussion, it depends upon who is accountable in making certain decisions or actions internally or externally in an institution. And I have learned that “Accountability cannot be enforced without transparency and the rule of law.” Under this characteristic of good governance, I can say that it is a three-in-one attribute that can help maintain democracy in the Philippines.

5. What is your personal stand on the issue? Give your personal recommendations for the resolution of the issue. (10 points)

First of all, being in a government seat means that one is willing to serve the country, become a great example to everyone and to be the voice of the citizens of the country. The government official must be selfless, considerate and knowledgeable that through his service, he is giving back to his country and will whole-heartedly do what it takes to help develop the country’s economy and make the Philippines a better place. If one is blinded and ruled by wealth, power, and the material things of this world, then that person does not stand firm for his values and beliefs. Which brings me to the Ampatuans, in this situation; it is very obvious that it runs in the family and in their blood to be a part of politics, to rule and direct local politics. And the Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus have been political rivals since then. The government must act quickly and stop making this massacre issue fade away like they do in other cases. Ampatuan Jr. thought that by getting their master plan to happen, his problems would be solved. Violence never solves anything. Now that he’s in Manila jail, I hope that justice would be served as soon as possible. And for a lawyer like Fortun to accept his case, proves that money is all he is after and does not show any care for the lives and victims in the massacre. And because of the Maguindanao carnage, I began to be more alert and aware of my surroundings and I should know how and who to vote wisely. I will protect my right to vote, because I believe that my single vote can change the lives of the Filipino people and through that single vote, it can make a difference.

Sources:

Papa, Alcuin. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Philippines now seen as most dangerous place for journalists. reclaimthemedia. http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/journalistic_practice/ philippines_now_seen_most_dang2548.

Najjiah.AsiaFinest.com.http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t218089.html.

Babel-Fish. Arroyo condemns Maguindanao incident. Nowpublic. http://www.nowpublic. com/world/arroyo-condemns-maguindanao-incident.

Gabriel San Rafael. PHILIPPINES: Maguindanao Massacre Has Some Familiar Roots – Part 1. Ipsnew.org. http://www.ipsnews.org/news.asp?idnews=49518.

1. Process of Change PowerPoint presentation 2. Good Governance PowerPoint presentation