Philippines massacre needs independent prosecution

The brutality of the apparently politically motivated massacre last Monday of 57 people on a highway outside of the town of Ampatuan in Maguindanao province, Philippines defies comprehension. According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), apparently a total of 30 journalists and their assistants were killed, accompanying a procession of 22 relatives, lawyers and supporters of gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu on their mission to submit his filing papers for election. Another 15 victims are thought to be innocent bystanders _ in the wrong place at the wrong time when the killers made their move. Mr Mangudadatu, who had received death threats, was not in the group, although his wife and two sisters were. It was reported yesterday that most or all of the women in the group were sexually mutilated.

Such a depraved, ruthless and blatant act implies that the perpetrators felt themselves to be above the law, and it is imperative that President Gloria Arroyo acts quickly to prove to the country and the world that they are not, particularly since the primary suspects have close political connections to the president.

The suspected killers are policemen and militiamen in the service of the powerful Ampatuan family which has long ruled Maguindanao province unopposed.

Associated Press reported that the Ampatuan clan helped Mrs Arroyo and her allies win the 2004 presidential and 2007 senatorial elections by delivering crucial votes.

Also disturbing is the assistance her government has given the Ampatuans and other area clans in building powerful militias to combat the secessionist and Islamist insurgencies in the southern Philippines.

Andal Ampatuan Jr, a member of Mrs Arroyo's ruling coalition, turned himself in on Thursday and is expected to be charged with murder next week.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Mr Ampatuan's brother and his father, Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr, the clan patriarch, are also under investigation. The national police chief said six senior officers, including the provincial police chief and his deputy, 20 members of Ampatuan township's police station and nearly 400 militiamen are also in custody, but not all are suspects. More arrests are expected.

The younger Ampatuan has tried to blame the massacre on Muslim separatists, but Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said there is no evidence of rebel involvement. A spokesman for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is engaged in peace talks with the government, said the guerrillas had nothing to do with the killings.

The targetting of journalists adds another grisly dimension to this crime.

Even before Monday's massacre the Philippines was known to be a dangerous place to practise journalism.

Arlyn de la Cruz, a television reporter who was once kidnapped by Islamic militants, said the massacre would have a more direct impact on provincial reporters and freelancers not protected by large organisations.

In order to prevent a climate of fear swift action is needed to show not only journalists, but also common citizens, that such acts will not go unpunished.

Mrs Arroyo has pledged that the ''perpetrators will not escape justice. The law will hunt them until they are caught ...''

The number of arrests thus far is encouraging, and there is no reason to doubt her sincerity, but in such a high profile and politically charged case it is unavoidable that people will question the transparency of the investigation and subsequent judicial proceedings.

Therefore it would be advisable for Mrs Arroyo to distance herself and her government to avoid any perception of intransparency, and form independent investigation and prosecution teams which are not answerable through the usual chain of command. The NUJP has already urged the government on Friday to form a special court to try the suspects, and it is likely such calls will only grow louder.