Action Network Human Rights-Philippines' open letter to the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Berlin commemorating the victims and the plight of their families still waiting for justice of the Ampatuan massacre.

Philippine Embassy
The Honorable Leah B. Ruiz
Charge D'Affaires
Uhlandstr. 97
10715 Berlin

In remembrance of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre at its first anniversary on November 23, 2010

It has been a year now since the atrocious massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao led to the brutal killing of 58 people. This incident made the Philippines one of the most dangerous country for journalists in the whole world.

All 58 People had to die because the clan of Ampatuan wanted to hold its political influence when competitor Esmael Mangudadatu announced to file a candidacy for the governors position in Maguindanao that was traditionally occupied by the powerful Ampatuan clan.

Mangudadatus relatives, all of them women, thought they were safe when they went in a convoy to file the candidacy in his behalf. They did not believe that the Ampatuans would dare to commit such a cruel crime against peaceful civilians, women, human rights lawyers and journalists, who wanted to cover the filing of candidacy.

This incident has been the most glaring expression of the climate of impunity that prevails in the Philippines. The Ampatuans, an allegory for the dominance of influential family politics, stopped at nothing to sustain their power. The climate of impunity led to the certainty for the clan that they had to fear no punishment. This certainty was augmented by the close alliance of the Ampatuans with former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The victims are not only victims of the Ampatuans, but victims of the weak legal structures in the whole Philippines that lead to a general situation of impunity.

After one year, the relatives of the victims are still waiting for a conviction and a just penalty for the alleged perpetrators from the ranks of the influential Ampatuan clan. While the evidences and witness statements made during the trial are clearly pointing at the liability of the alleged Ampatuans, the clan members are still in denial of having anything to do with the massacre.

The new Secretary of Justice, Leila de Lima, has shown her commitment to due process. The trial against the alleged perpetrators has resumed last September 8. Still, this is not enough to give justice to the victims and their families. It may take years until the conviction of the perpetrators.

In remembrance of the victims of this atrocious massacre, we would like to express our grief for all the victims who lost their life in this brutal incident one year ago. Our thoughts are with the relatives of the victims and those who have witnessed the incident still seeking for the conviction of all alleged perpetrators involved in this massacre.

Therefore we deplore the lack of implementation of sustainable reforms that would contribute to justice for all people involved! We are calling for an end of the climate of impunity in the Philippines!

Action Network Human Rights-Philippines

In Remembrance of the Victims!