Senseless, Sad and Sickening

To say that I’m shocked or even appalled at the ruthlessness of this butchery is an understatement.

Join me in praying for the victims of the massacre in Maguindanao: that their souls may be united with our merciful God and that the families, friends and loved ones left behind may also find comfort and grace in this very dark and difficult moment.

Also, in praying that the perpetrators and principals of these hellish deeds should find true sorrow and remorse in their hearts, somehow.

To say that I’m shocked or even appalled at the ruthlessness of this butchery is an understatement. Even now, a part of me still refuses to accept that it really happened. I’m trying to wrap my head and my heart around what could possibly impel a person to such evil. All violence is senseless, and should be condemned.

Ibang klaseng lungkot at yamot ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Sana sa ating buhay, di na tayo kailangan makaramdam muli ng ganito.

One of those who were murdered in Maguindanao was Atty. Connie Brizuela, a mother, a lawyer diligently doing her work for her family and for the meaningful change that she aspired to bring about. She, and so many others like her, like all other Filipinos, raise a fist against the present norm, against what is happening in our country. She was one of our volunteers.

It is my most fervent hope that the government will make good on its promise to bring the parties responsible to justice; it’s the least that we can do for the memory of the victims and for the peace of mind of their families.

For my part, please allow me to caution everyone against defining Mindanao by this massacre. Mindanao is a beautiful place. Moreover, it is home to beautiful peoples and communities with rich cultures and deep faiths.

And just as important, please allow me to remind everyone that the issue here is bigger than Mindanao. It is pervasive, and both the problem and the solution involve the whole nation. Let us unite as one Philippines to show our support for our Muslim brothers and sisters. ‘Wag nating hayaang walang managot. ‘Wag nating hayaang walang mangyaring pagbabago. At ‘wag nating tantanan ang gobyerno hangga’t hindi natin nakakamit ang hustisya.

As clear as day is to night, this one is GOOD vs. EVIL.

M.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/lourdes.getigan Lourdes Getigan

    Yes, Sen. Mar we are one with you in condemning this brutality.

  • http://www.facebook.com/lourdes.getigan Lourdes Getigan

    Yes, Sen. Mar we are one with you in condemning this brutality.

  • Angel

    Indeed, this coming election is a battle between GOOD and EVIL.

  • Angel

    Indeed, this coming election is a battle between GOOD and EVIL.

  • renaulttan

    kaisa mo kami sen. roxas, sana makamit natin ang inaasam na pagbabago na sa habang panahon ay pinagkait sa atin. my family and i suport you and noynoy's candidacy. more power…god bless.

  • renaulttan

    kaisa mo kami sen. roxas, sana makamit natin ang inaasam na pagbabago na sa habang panahon ay pinagkait sa atin. my family and i suport you and noynoy's candidacy. more power…god bless.

  • repablo

    para na tayong nasa SUDAN!

  • repablo

    para na tayong nasa SUDAN!

  • repablo

    Ang pang yayaring ito ay isang hapon sa isang katulad mo na lider Sir Mar. Hustisya para sa mga biktima. Bakit ang pang karaniwang mamamayan na naging suspek ay mabilis nadadampot ng mga pulis. Kahit yung nangyari kay Ted Failon, nkapakabilis ng naging reaksyun ng ating mga kapulisan..bakit sa pangyayari sa maguindanao ay hindi nila magawa..ha mga ulupong!

    Para na tayong nasa sudan!

  • repablo

    ANG PANG YAYARING ITO AY ISANG HAPON SA ISANG KATULAD MO NA LIDER SIR MAR..

    HUSTISYA PARA SA MGA BIKTIMA.

    BKIT ANG PANG KARANIWANG MAMAMAYAN NA NAGING SUSPEK AY MABILIS NADADAMPOT NG MGA PULIS,..KAHIT YUNG NANGYARI KAY TED FAILON, NKAPAKABILIS NG NAGING REAKSYUN NG ATING MGA KAPULISAN..BAKIT SA PANGYAYARI SA MAGUINDANAO AY HINDI NILA MAGAWA..HA MGA ULUPONG!

  • http://twitter.com/mjoynunez Mary Joy M. Nunez

    it was a shocking news …gosh..i can't believe this is happening in maguindanao….whoever did this…must go to hell…

  • http://twitter.com/mjoynunez Mary Joy M. Nunez

    it was a shocking news …gosh..i can't believe this is happening in maguindanao….
    whoever did this…must go to hell…

  • rodolfo biolena

    First i want to join hand with all the praying group to ask our Lord in Heaven to open the gates of His kingdom for the souls of our christian and muslim brothers in this hell origin incident. Mr. Senator and our future vice president you are certainly a good christian in your assessment of this incident you clearly shows the inside personality of a good servant of God which our nation needs to know about our public servants. By your offered prayer both muslim and christian brothers join you in this judging history of our countrys peace in Mindanao calendar. I join you Mr Vice President together with the pilipino people who are praying with you.

  • rodolfo biolena

    First i want to join hand with all the praying group to ask our Lord in Heaven to open the gates of His kingdom for the souls of our christian and muslim brothers in this hell origin incident. Mr. Senator and our future vice president you are certainly a good christian in your assessment of this incident you clearly shows the inside personality of a good servant of God which our nation needs to know about our public servants. By your offered prayer both muslim and christian brothers join you in this judging history of our countrys peace in Mindanao calendar. I join you Mr Vice President together with the pilipino people who are praying with you.

  • dr_arnel

    Dear Mr Roxas,I am from Mindanao and you do not have to be from Mindanao to see the political realities. The problem here is political dynasty plus local culture. All over the Philppines, places are ruled by political dysnasties. I dot have to enumerate because it is crystal clear. In Mindanao, especially in those areas, culture plays a significant catalyst for wars. The problem of RIDO is there. Politics add to the wars. The ruling clan wants all the land so the poor famrers had to arm themeselves or be with the other group. So the 2 factions would clash. An unsolicited advise – Make a law abolishing political dynasties. I know it is too late but if there a will there is a way -as you have said. Prevent famlies of having multiple posts in the locals (councilors, mayors, governors and congressman) up to the 4th or 5th degree if possible. As simple as that – you can solve one problem at a time. You do not need a lenghty investigation (congress or senate). The problem is there!

  • dr_arnel

    Dear Mr Roxas,

    I am from Mindanao and you do not have to be from Mindanao to see the political realities. The problem here is political dynasty plus local culture. All over the Philppines, places are ruled by political dysnasties. I dot have to enumerate because it is crystal clear. In Mindanao, especially in those areas, culture plays a significant catalyst for wars. The problem of RIDO is there. Politics add to the wars. The ruling clan wants all the land so the poor famrers had to arm themeselves or be with the other group. So the 2 factions would clash. An unsolicited advise – Make a law abolishing political dynasties. I know it is too late but if there a will there is a way -as you have said. Prevent famlies of having multiple posts in the locals (councilors, mayors, governors and congressman) up to the 4th or 5th degree if possible. As simple as that – you can solve one problem at a time. You do not need a lenghty investigation (congress or senate). The problem is there!

  • roldanbvillareal

    I'm one of your avid fun, not just in politics but also in your life as a ordinary person, for some how…..I'm a student of HERCOR COLLEGE and I will Help you Sen. In Your Campaign here.

  • roldanbvillareal

    I'm one of your avid fun, not just in politics but also in your life as a ordinary person, for some how…..

    I'm a student of HERCOR COLLEGE and I will Help you Sen. In Your Campaign here.

  • roldanbvillareal

    Dear Senator: I’m a education student of Hercor College. I just wanted to take part in your campaign, not just here in the Province of Capiz, but also in the entire archipelago. I really wanted to be part of the another historical change in our country… Please Senator…
    My contact number is 09302080988, Please use me as on of those who can influence our youth for a change. MABUHAY PO KAYO SENATOR MAR ROXAS!!1

  • roldanbvillareal

    Dear Senator:

    I'm a education student of Hercor College. I just wanted to take part in your campaign, not just here in the Province of Capiz, but also in the entire archipelago. I really wanted to be part of the another historical change in our country… Please Senator…
    My contact number is 09302080988, Please use me as on of those who can influence our youth for a change.

    MABUHAY PO KAYO SENATOR MAR ROXAS!!1

  • roldanbvillareal

    OK

  • roldanbvillareal

    OK

  • marlitataculodcainta

    Nanayo po ang balahibo sa mga braso ko listening to Sn Drillon condemning in a highest form the Maguindanao massacre yesterday at the gathering at the HQ in Cubao. I am glad im part of this party, coz i believe this party have triggered or spearhead the change of our nation Philippines.

  • marlitataculodcainta

    Nanayo po ang balahibo sa mga braso ko listening to Sn Drillon condemning in a highest form the Maguindanao massacre yesterday at the gathering at the HQ in Cubao. I am glad im part of this party, coz i believe this party have triggered or spearhead the change of our nation Philippines.

  • elizasallao

    I'm still reeling from the fact that this tragedy has happened to our country. Imagine, we were just celebrating from the pride that Manny Pacquiao and Efren Peñaflorida brought us, then this unimaginable crime happens. In a snap, the Philippines has become the worst place for journalists. Karumal-dumal. Walang puso. Ganun na lamang ba nacorrupt ng kapangyarihan ang kaluluwa ng mga taong may kagagawan nito? Shit. Hindi ko kinakayang tingnan ang mga litrato ng mga taong nasawi dahil lamang ninanais nilang kalabanin ang isang dinastiya. Nakakasuka. Ipagdasal natin na makamit ang hustisya para sa biktima at maliwanagan ang mga nakaupo na itong karahasan at pagkagahaman sa kapangyarihan ay kailangan nang matapos, ngayon na.

  • elizasallao

    I'm still reeling from the fact that this tragedy has happened to our country. Imagine, we were just celebrating from the pride that Manny Pacquiao and Efren Peñaflorida brought us, then this unimaginable crime happens. In a snap, the Philippines has become the worst place for journalists. Karumal-dumal. Walang puso. Ganun na lamang ba nacorrupt ng kapangyarihan ang kaluluwa ng mga taong may kagagawan nito? Shit. Hindi ko kinakayang tingnan ang mga litrato ng mga taong nasawi dahil lamang ninanais nilang kalabanin ang isang dinastiya. Nakakasuka. Ipagdasal natin na makamit ang hustisya para sa biktima at maliwanagan ang mga nakaupo na itong karahasan at pagkagahaman sa kapangyarihan ay kailangan nang matapos, ngayon na.

  • kutchinta

    Senator Mar,I have to say sorry for posting a very long comment. When you 1st run for the senate my family & I went all out to campaign for you. A lady named lala (from your headquarter) can attest to this. She might not remember my name as there were thousands of volunteer that time. She might recall that I called her by phone (I was in manila that time) to request for your campaign materials to be send directly to our residence in Ozamiz City. My siblings told me that your HQ sent big boxes of campaign materials at least twice or it could have been thrice.In 2004 halos walang campaign materials that were distributed. Reasons? Ozamiz city is lumped with cagayan de oro city as region 10. Hence, people in our city had to wait for the cagayan de oro chapter or what to send campaign materials. This prompted me to personally call your HQ in 2004 so that we can have your campaign materialsI attended your thanksgiving dinner held in araneta coliseum because ms. lala text and called me. I was fortunate that I bumped into someone I know (niece of a former classmate of mine in graduate study in the ateneo). They are from cagayan de oro city & they seem to know you well. We even had our picture taken then.I do not think it would be a problem this time as I learned that misamis occidental province governor Leo ocampo now belongs to the LP and he is backing a neophyte Mrs. Connie LIM for the mayoral race in our city against a family member of the current mayor [from the infamous & notorious kuratong baleleng]. I am sure campaign materials would not be scare anymore this time around.The intent of this comment (it might not change anything but I do sincerely hope it would give you a lot to ponder about) is to candidly give my personal opinion. I do not have problem with noynoy & yourself as candidates. In fact, as early as 2004, I was thinking that you would be a very credible candidate for the presidency & maybe the Philippine can have you as the president in 2010.What disappoint me is that your party (LP) is practicing EXPEDIENCY, which I sincerely & wholeheartedly am AGAINST (e. g., having Richard Gomez and Cesar montano as candidates). My goodness Mar!!!! Your are LP's president, why???? So that LP's candidates in the national level would gather more votes because there are celebrities running under your party? What has senator jovita salonga have to say about this? It was not like this during their time? How come it has come down this low to using this strategy?I am not belittling the personhood of Richard Gomez & Cesar montano. I know as individual they have their own competencies. I would know. I am a psychologist. But as public officials? Seriously Mar, something is terribly wrong in our political system. I am more qualified than them & so are my friends & the faculties of any university in this country. I remember the time when showbiz personalities complained against vat & accused Ralph recto as the culprit. Richard Gomez was very vocal (of course in Filipino) on national TV “blah blah blah blah…”Ralph recto was interviewed also on TV. He said that vat was there before he became a senator. He added, that, “they are barking on the wrong tree.” This statement made Richard Gomez livid because he thought rector considered him as a dog!!!!Can you imagine a public servant who does not even understand a very common & simple idiomatic expression such as the abovementioned? Please naman can we have people running for public office who are worthy alternative. It is sickening & LP is a part of these!! Would not Ninoy Aquino, Lorenzo Tañada, your dad turned on their grave that this is the LP they founded?I was already disheartened to participate in any political exercise after 2004. You know what inspired me in 2007 to vote? That was when I discovered the existence of a new party, ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY. This is the party whose platform I LIKE THE MOST AND HOPE THE PHILIPPINES POLITICAL PARTY WOULD SOMEDAY BECOME. I know they would not win just as in 2007 but my siblings & I will only for the 8 senatoriables from the ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY. In our own way, we would encourage our friends to vote for them as well. A lot of people around the ateneo (faculties, staffs, students voted for them in 2007). Truth to tell, in 2007, I only voted for the 3 ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY senatoriables.I also do not like Franklin drilon. I remember sometime in 2002 (shortly after 911 bombing when airport security became very strict). He went to the USA & he refused to take off his shoes!!! He told the security personnel, “don't you know me? I am the 3rd highest ranking official in the Philippine government?” I cannot remember the exact date but a Philippine star columnist wrote about it. For 1 to be a leader, that person must know how to follow a simple rule. Franklin Drilon is not one in my personal opinion. I presume it was a Filipino American because if it had been an American, I doubt if Drilon would have acted that way.kutchinta

  • kutchinta

    Senator Mar,

    I have to say sorry for posting a very long comment.

    When you 1st run for the senate my family & I went all out to campaign for you. A lady named lala (from your headquarter) can attest to this. She might not remember my name as there were thousands of volunteer that time. She might recall that I called her by phone (I was in manila that time) to request for your campaign materials to be send directly to our residence in Ozamiz City. My siblings told me that your HQ sent big boxes of campaign materials at least twice or it could have been thrice.

    In 2004 halos walang campaign materials that were distributed. Reasons? Ozamiz city is lumped with cagayan de oro city as region 10. Hence, people in our city had to wait for the cagayan de oro chapter or what to send campaign materials. This prompted me to personally call your HQ in 2004 so that we can have your campaign materials

    I attended your thanksgiving dinner held in araneta coliseum because ms. lala text and called me. I was fortunate that I bumped into someone I know (niece of a former classmate of mine in graduate study in the ateneo). They are from cagayan de oro city & they seem to know you well. We even had our picture taken then.

    I do not think it would be a problem this time as I learned that misamis occidental province governor Leo ocampo now belongs to the LP and he is backing a neophyte Mrs. Connie LIM for the mayoral race in our city against a family member of the current mayor [from the infamous & notorious kuratong baleleng].

    I am sure campaign materials would not be scare anymore this time around.

    The intent of this comment (it might not change anything but I do sincerely hope it would give you a lot to ponder about) is to candidly give my personal opinion. I do not have problem with noynoy & yourself as candidates. In fact, as early as 2004, I was thinking that you would be a very credible candidate for the presidency & maybe the Philippine can have you as the president in 2010.

    What disappoint me is that your party (LP) is practicing EXPEDIENCY, which I sincerely & wholeheartedly am AGAINST (e. g., having Richard Gomez and Cesar montano as candidates). My goodness Mar!!!! Your are LP's president, why???? So that LP's candidates in the national level would gather more votes because there are celebrities running under your party? What has senator jovita salonga have to say about this? It was not like this during their time? How come it has come down this low to using this strategy?

    I am not belittling the personhood of Richard Gomez & Cesar montano. I know as individual they have their own competencies. I would know. I am a psychologist. But as public officials? Seriously Mar, something is terribly wrong in our political system. I am more qualified than them & so are my friends & the faculties of any university in this country.

    I remember the time when showbiz personalities complained against vat & accused Ralph recto as the culprit. Richard Gomez was very vocal (of course in Filipino) on national TV “blah blah blah blah…”
    Ralph recto was interviewed also on TV. He said that vat was there before he became a senator. He added, that, “they are barking on the wrong tree.” This statement made Richard Gomez livid because he thought rector considered him as a dog!!!!

    Can you imagine a public servant who does not even understand a very common & simple idiomatic expression such as the abovementioned? Please naman can we have people running for public office who are worthy alternative. It is sickening & LP is a part of these!! Would not Ninoy Aquino, Lorenzo Tañada, your dad turned on their grave that this is the LP they founded?

    I was already disheartened to participate in any political exercise after 2004. You know what inspired me in 2007 to vote? That was when I discovered the existence of a new party, ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY. This is the party whose platform I LIKE THE MOST AND HOPE THE PHILIPPINES POLITICAL PARTY WOULD SOMEDAY BECOME. I know they would not win just as in 2007 but my siblings & I will only for the 8 senatoriables from the ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY. In our own way, we would encourage our friends to vote for them as well. A lot of people around the ateneo (faculties, staffs, students voted for them in 2007).

    Truth to tell, in 2007, I only voted for the 3 ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY senatoriables.

    I also do not like Franklin drilon. I remember sometime in 2002 (shortly after 911 bombing when airport security became very strict). He went to the USA & he refused to take off his shoes!!! He told the security personnel, “don't you know me? I am the 3rd highest ranking official in the Philippine government?” I cannot remember the exact date but a Philippine star columnist wrote about it. For 1 to be a leader, that person must know how to follow a simple rule. Franklin Drilon is not one in my personal opinion. I presume it was a Filipino American because if it had been an American, I doubt if Drilon would have acted that way.

    kutchinta

  • http://www.bikoy.net/ Victor Villanueva

    Will it be too much to ask if I ask that I be credited for that photo I took?

  • http://twitter.com/georgepalaganas George Palaganas

    It was a great courage to present to the civilized world a case such as the Maguindanao Massacre. Indeed, it was the peace process that was put into jeopardy specific with the fact that it happened in an Autonomous Region. A clash between the National Government and Local Government looms to the fore as we are now faced with the question ” How far can ARMM stay as an autonomous region?” It is indeed a great shame to the international community and the “tantamount” resignation of the President for eight days on Maguindanao by declaring and lifting Martial Law is a sign of this stooped stance.

  • orlygeral

    iyan ang epekto ng utang na loob kahit baluktot itutuwid maibalik lamang hininging pabor.iyan ang prinsipyo ng mga gutom sa kapangyarihan at bundat sa kayamanan.

  • spankwire

    Ano ang magagawa mo para mabilis nilang mkamit ang hustisya..???

  • Al

    My opinion of the Original Sin is simple – nagpalahi ang demonyo kina Adan at Eba ng kawangis din niya, Others are half-baked, thus the engkantos, kapres, duwendes and the likes. Gaya ng tao, minsan traits would just show whichever is dominant dahil mestiso't mestisa na (sa ugali) down the line. Christ was even half a spirit… that of the Holy One.This massacre (Maguindanao) is a display by a fully molded human being in flesh but with the dominant traits of his ancestor, the Devil. That's why we need to choose our leaders well. We are practically determining the fate of mankind / the survival of the image of God thru Adam. So…Go Noy and Mar! Make God happy!

  • juliet s. pimentel

    The GOOD will always thrive against the BAD. GO GO NOY-MAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • palengke boy

    Mar Roxas is the best!!

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