Pastilan! Living the dog-eat-dog world of a Global Pinoy!

(No. 355 - November 26, 2009 - 11:15 a.m. EST) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement condemning the November 23 killing of civilians in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao:

“Canada condemns the brutal murders perpetrated in Maguindanao in the lead up to local elections. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims.

“Canada supports calls for the rule of law to prevail and for those responsible for these acts to be brought to justice.”

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Canadians travelling to the Philippines are encouraged to consult Travel Report-Philippines.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851

Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874

http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2009/355.aspx

Al Jazeera English - Asia-Pacific - Witness: 'We just followed orders'

The world is in awe. International journalists, state leaders and prominent human rights advocates are eagerly waiting for the reaction of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the latest macabre in Southern Mindanao.

The question should be “would she sacrifice her long standing political aspiration by keeping the Ampatuans under her wings or finally get to her senses that the lack of action or half-hearted effort to bring the perpetrators to jail would drag her and her illustrious Macapagal name down the history of political catastrophe?”

The recent expulsion of the Ampatuans from Lakas-Kampi-CMD party is an attempt to appease the clamor of the people to provide swift justice - an obvious PR strategy only.

Another thing, please advice Gibo to stop giving statements that is noticeably struggling to be “politically correct” because it is definitely annoying. In this world, you will not thrive if you would continue to remain in grey area. Indecisiveness definitely defines his character.

Andal Ampatuan, Jr. surrendered already and unsurprisingly, denied all the allegations. Ok, fine. The crime was not committed by the Ampatuans, Mayor Andal did not lead the militia or say, he is innocent. Who did it then?

So maybe it was just a random killing of 57 civilians and journalist? Some group of armed men got drunk and decided to have fun by killing people loaded in a convoy on the way to file certificate of candidacy and they decided to bury these civilians using a local government owned back hoe. Yeah right. Make the Filipino people believe that because they think we are moron.

I will not be surprised if one of these days, you will find the Ampatuans in the pedestal again, hailed by his local supporters for being declared innocent of this barbarism. It is an old Philippine scenario, almost a cliché to me already.

The reason for acquittal would be insufficient evidence to put the Ampatuans in the crime beyond reasonable doubt. I wonder why I could almost smell white wash right at the doorstep of our justice system.

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