The Philippine Online Chronicles

Hello WikiPinoys! It's been more than two years since the last time I've blogged. I'm sure you guys have missed my musings.

I've come out from this long hiatus to remind all of you about an important commemoration on November 23, 2011. It is the International Day to End Impunity, the worldwide commemoration of journalists, media people, and information sharers against impunity, or the relentless repression and intimidation against the media and activists highlighted by the murder of 58 people, including 31 journalists, in the Maguindanao Massacre on November 23, 2009.

Impunity has been one of the grim legacies of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration. According to an editorial by the Philippine Online Chronicles: "President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's ascent to Malacanang was, unfortunately, marked by the death of a prominent labor leader. Less than a month after Arroyo was sworn in as President on 20 January 2001, Filemon “Popoy” Lagman was assassinated by still-unknown forces, making him the first victim of extrajudicial killings under the Arroyo administration. Lagman's demise was followed by at least 863 deaths as of 2007. At the tailend of her term, 57 people were allegedly murdered by a ruling political clan in Maguindanao."

However, despite incumbent president Benigno Aquino III's promise of a shift toward good governance, impunity still exists as nine journalists have been killed in the 15-month reign of the current administration, according to Bulatlat.com.

Worldwide, the Philippines is ranked as third in Committee to Protect Journalists Impunity Index. This means that the Philippines is the third most dangerous place for journalists, just behind war-torn Iraq and Somalia. It is very ironic that our home country, which is regarded as Asia's first democracy, is now one of the most dangerous places to live for people who are tasked to uphold democracy and freedom.

Culture of impunity

What made the Philippines such a dangerous place for journalists and information sharers?

One is the prevalence of landlordism and political clans in the country. Majority of the victims of media killings work in the provinces and in rural areas, where political clans and landlords dominate. These clans are reportedly defended by private armies, which are composed of armed civilians that are tasked to defend the property and interest of these clans. These occur despite a constitutional ban on political dynasties (Articel II, Section 26 of the Philippine Constitution).

Another is the prevalent idea amongst government official and agents that they are agents of authority, not agents of public service. This is manifest in the visible use of force during demolition of houses of informal settlers and the violent dispersal of rallies, in spite of the constitutional right to a decent home and the right to free expression. In the Maguindanao Massacre, for instance, 62 of the suspects are policemen.

The last probable reason for the prevalence of impunity is the existing snail-paced criminal justice system. Before the Maguindanao Massacre in 2009, the Philippine judicial system has not solved 24 cases of media killings in the last ten years, the second highest number of unsolved cases behind Iraq.

Information as powerful tool

Given the mentioned conditions in Philippine society, impunity seemed to have penetrated our very own culture. The brazen display of violence sows fear to the ordinary man, making him defenseless in defending the lives of others. In addition, the government's lack of political will in dismantling the causes of impunity is obvious, since political clans dominate government in the national and local levels up to this day.

In the battle of guns and minds, guns will always prevail. No matter how dedicated and courageous a journalist is, a bullet on his head is just enough to silence him. Given the still weak voices of the people against impunity, the power of the media is our biggest weapon in combating apathy toward impunity.

With the rapid changes in technology, more gates have been opened in spreading the message against the culture of impunity. Social media has been a proven vehicle in building people's opinion while multimedia vehicles like YouTube is accessed by millions worldwide. If teenage pop star Justin Bieber has gained more than 100 million views by singing, with a united resolve, we can reach out to hundreds of millions of people in spreading this message.

Of course, for information to be effective, concerted action is a must. On November 21, 2011, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibilitycalls all bloggers to write against impunity. On November 23, 2011, various media organizations worldwide will hold mass actions to urge governments around the world to end impunity.

With millions of people having one voice, impunity will end. As sharers of free information, we WikiPinoys must be more passionate in sharing information and more vigilant in unmasking the perpetrators of impunity. MAKE IMPUNITY HISTORY!