Two years had passed since the gruesome massacre of 58 persons in Sitio Masalay, Brgy. Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Two years had passed but until now, the families of the victims still cry for justice.

This tragic event in the Philippine history which taken the lives of journalists, lawyers and civilians is just one of the many cases of unsolved human rights violations in the country. Some of these happened 30 years ago yet justice remained elusive for the victims and their families.

Different administrations had passed but the state of human rights in the country remained dire: extra-judicial killings, torture, enforced disappearances, illegal demolition, illegal arrest and detention, rampant corruption, suppression of the right to express thoughts by violently dispersing rallies and mobilization or killing of journalists still take place rampantly.

The overwhelming power of political warlords contributed to the worsening of the human rights condition. The massive use of “guns, goons, and gold” continues to suppress those who go against their will and wishes. While these machineries remain not dismantled, political warlords will continue to gain power and oppress civilians.

We from the Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement (MPPM), an alliance of different peace and human rights organizations in Mindanao believe that the true straight path is the path where:

1. The government fulfils its obligations and responsibility to human rights and ensures that the rights of its citizens are fully protected and respected;

2. Justice is served to the victims of human rights violations through fair and speedy trial, implementation of appropriate punishments to the perpetrators, and reparations to the victims.

3. The power truly emanates from the people and not from the few elites.

While peace and human rights is not fully and genuinely enjoyed by the people, the Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement will continue to struggle for peace based on justice. We will strongly and consistently campaign for justice for all the victims of human rights violations. We shall not let another Maguindanao Massacre.

Janel Pesons
Secretary General
November 23, 2011