This came to mind when I heard about the Ampatuan massacre in the news on Monday morning that claimed lives of about 40 people roughly 20 of whom were a journalist in the town of Ampatuan in Maguindanao province which is an island of Mindanao. According to the news, the victims were about to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, Vice Mayor of Buluan who was challenging Andal S. Ampatuan Jr., son of the incumbent Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. in the 2010 National Governatorial Elections. The journalists were accompanying women of the Mangudadatu clan which is another powerful and rival clan of the Ampatuan's when their convoy was stopped by about 100 armed men who herded them to a remote hillside and attacked them with M-16 rifles and machetes. Two of their vehicles and many bodies were thrown into a freshly-dug pit and covered with earth by an excavator. Officials said that the death toll rises to 57 as of yesterday and they're still looking for more bodies waiting to be found.
I was devastated. It was barbaric and gruesome. They were slaughtered like animals. What kind of monster is capable of doing this? Can they still sleep at night or even care if they're still alive but their souls are already rotting in hell? I don't get it. How can people kill for a thirst of power? This sick for crying out loud. This is a democratic country but how come some still live in fear and no one can protect them? People are aware of what's going on in Maguindanao but they have no choice but to keep their eyes closed and their mouth shut or the consequence may be fatal. When will this civil war end?
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