Mass Murder in Manguindanao
The massacre that happened in Maguindanao touches the gut. It Is visceral. As one learns about there is this fire ball forming inside oneself calling for retribution. And why not the massacre was not of soldiers but women and civilians. A sore and raw point is that among the civilians were members of media. The crime discovered was so strong that it might just unseat the ruling political family from power.
The anger: The outrage is understandable. However, there must be some control over such anger so that the truth of what happened will be obvious. Finding the truth is part of justice. If not then it does not become justice but retribution.
The facts and circumstances surrounding the case are both interesting and intriguing. Two political families – once allies (the patriarchs were close friends) became enemies when the incumbent governor had reached the end of his term and as the law of the indicated he could not run again, It is kind of ironic that the law – term limits – led to this crime: crime against humanity. Both clans were allies of the administration. And the act itself is and seem so brazen in that it defies logic or does it?
Was it a crime planned to be blamed on someone else? Or a crime planned to be shrouded in mystery and again blamed one some one else Or a crime that would be an example to all of the power of the present rulers? Perhaps it was something else?
The mass murder was indeed planned. But was it planned to be known? The presence of backhoe and the pit points to a desire by the perpetrator to hide the deed. This would make sense if they were planning to do two things – intimidate their enemies and blame someone else, And even if their enemies were unconvinced what was important that there would be doubt at least outside of Maguindanao on who did it. Rather than a naked show of power. The disappearance of the whole party would have an effect on their opponents and put the blame on someone else.
Or it could be the plan was just to intimidate the party but things went terribly wrong. And led to the massacre. But again the presence of the backhoe, and mass grave does not lead to this conclusion.
What is sure though is this was an act of pride and confidence coming from an individual or individuals who assumes they are untouchables. Such arrogance stems from power -absolute power. Unfortunately, it is not limited to that particular place in the Philippines.
And this is the troubling thing. Such acts only differ in degrees from what we see even in Luzon, in Metro Manila.
Nevertheless, It seems plain that the plan was done or caused by over confidence in power. And
who knows the following months may prove this a valid assumption.
It just troubles me. What differentiates people who act like this from other people who have power – whether political, business or mere might – through possesion of a gun or physical strength, People who travel to and fro Metro Manila in big cars with escorts. Or what is the difference between such people and politicians who put their names on nearly everything they can put their name except the toilet. People who flaunt wealth, intelligence and weapons.
Today … ten people were killed over an argument over land. No protests and no lang arguments Ten people just dead over land. But I guess its different when people are brazenly killed and when people get killed over land. Murder is Murder. In this case mass murder is mass murder.
But going back to the topic.
What is disturbing is when people in power abuses it. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
On a related event:
Another disturbing thing, This afternoon a politicians, TG Guingonga album on facebook was promoted through the social network FaceBook. Inside the album were raw photos of the massacre victims, What the media took pains to digitize and cover could be seen, A number of whom were buried in closed caskets. I am sorry but this seems and feels like an act of disrespect. One could fight for justice without publicly putting the pictures on FaceBook. This is utter disrespect.
Patricia Evangelista wrote an article about the massacre and the victims were treated with respect. Jessica Soho’s feature treated the victim and their families with respect but the act of putting an album of the pictures is disrespectful, utter disrespect.
Utter disrespect.
Liberal Party: It is for practical considerations
Realpolitik = The Politcs of Practical Considerations
As of recent we have seen the re-alignment of forces between the different parties in preparation for 2010. This will continue up to and beyond the elections. The age of story of personalities, allies and enemies with morality, nationality and belief as window dressings for each group and not party. As such the recent addition and subtraction in the Liberal Party because of the alignment of the Rectos comes as no surprise. Although, It seems to be a big let down for a number of supporters of the Liberal - specially those convinced of the new politics branding of the party.
Just remember it is for practical considerations.
It remains now whether the believers of the Liberal Party’s new politics will be able to swallow or not the latest things happening in that party. In the end it will just be a matter of (a) accepting it as a strategic move aimed at getting more votes for the Aquino-Roxas ticket or (b) rejecting it as anathema or unacceptable: A bad move for a party practicing new politics.
Just remember it is for practical considerations.
The thing is if you accept option (a) then its not new politics anymore. Its politics with the Liberal Party playing by the rules the game is played.
Just remember it is for practical considerations.
So what differentiates them from let say the National Party and their alliance with the Kilusan Bagong Lipunan and a number of parties (or party) belonging to the National Democrats?
Nada. Zilch . Nothing.
Just remember it is for practical considerations.
All are political groups with the lean and hungry look - ready to win the elections. And win it by making the votes count. Morality or good and evil be damned. But then again did not the Aquino-Roxas tandem proclaimed or at least their drum beaters did say it was the a battle between good and evil? And this is probably not the only deal now or in the future where practical considerations are concerned.
It would have been more practical for the Liberal Party to position themselves as just the Opposition party and not brand itself as the party of new politics. As of now and proven in recent days no such animal exist.
Just remember it is for practical considerations.
Writing to Myself
Or the Perils and Pleasures of being a Private Diarist:
A diary is practical thing. A Confessor. A friend who listens and does not betray you unknowingly. It is something you write to yourself and for yourself.
A friend of mine years ago left her diary for a while on the school bench. Unfortunately, two of our friends took an interest and began to read the first set of pages. My friend saw it from afar and gave the two boys a thrashing they would never forget.
Truth be there are diaries that are made for others to see and then there are are private diaries. Those that are only for the Diarist’s eyes alone. In time it may fall into the hands of someone or it may not.
Marcus Aurelius called diary: Writing to Myself. Anne Frank had her published. And the Scottish Poet William Soutar had his published after his death - and the book was called the Diary of a Dying Man.
There are several ways of writing a private journal and diary. Secure a notebook - a simple notebook or one of those fancy notebooks like moleskin or milquerius - then write. Or you can set up a blog and type away.
To ensure that it remains private: After setting up the blog: Go to settings and make it readable only by you the blogger.
A diary is an assassin’s cloak which we wear when we stab a comrade in the back with a pen – Willian Soutar, 1934
Still there are pleasures and perils in writing a private diary. You write with reckless abandon. With little or no repercussions. The peril may be in that one writes without forethought. We tend to be more unforgiving and fast in judgment. It is a commentary of a snapshot - And like all things it may change.
And maybe in this we see another use for the private journal or diary its a place to look back at to read and see your thoughts were from a distance in time. And see how foolish or wise you were.
