[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 186 (Friday, December 11, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H14812-H14813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NOVEMBER MASSACRE IN PHILIPPINES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Mr. Berman's 
resolution, H. Con. Res. 218.
  On November 23, 57 people were systematically massacred in the 
southern Maguindanao Province of the Philippines. The massacre is 
considered the deadliest election-related attack in the country's 
history.
  Reports have alleged that the massacre was a planned ambush by the 
Ampatuan clan on a group of journalists and family members of 
supporters of a gubernatorial candidate, Ismael Mangudadatu. The group 
was traveling through the Ampatuan township in a caravan to the 
provincial capital to file candidacy documents on behalf of Mr. 
Mangudadatu. The 57 victims were covered in a mass grave only a day 
after they were killed.
  Mr. Mangudadatu, the gubernatorial candidate, has stated that he 
believes it was clear the attack was planned because the huge hole that 
acted as the mass grave had been dug before the attack.
  The Ampatuan clan is one of the most politically powerful in the 
region and has ruled the impoverished Maguindanao Province since 2001 
with brute force and intimidation. The Ampatuans are notorious for 
running a large pro-government army, which include many militiamen who 
serve as an auxiliary force to the military and police when battling 
insurgents in the region.
  Andal Ampatuan, Jr., a local mayor and son of the provincial 
governor, is believed to have ordered the killings and has been charged 
with 25 counts of murder. He turned himself in late November.
  Philippine President Arroyo declared November 26 a national day of 
mourning and said, ``This is a supreme act of inhumanity that is a 
blight on our nation. The perpetrators will not escape justice. The law 
will hunt them until they are caught.''
  I hope President Arroyo stays true to these words. However, the 
Ampatuan clan is strongly allied with President Arroyo, and human 
rights groups are concerned that this relationship could hinder an 
impartial investigation. Additionally, human rights groups and 
democracy advocates are concerned about a recent decision President 
Arroyo made to declare martial law in the region, arguing she lacks the 
constitutional authority.
  Mr. Speaker, as the co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Freedom 
of the Press, there is another element of this attack that is 
particularly distressing to me. Of the 57 killed in the massacre, 30 
were journalists and media workers. According to Reporters Without 
Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, this is the deadliest 
known attack on journalists in history.
  Information is power, which is precisely why journalists far too 
often become targets for groups like the Ampatuan clan. A free and 
independent media provides the nourishment for democracy to thrive and 
grow and expose corrupt factions like the Ampatuan clan. Citizens rely 
upon credible, accurate information from the media to make informed 
decisions and hold their leaders accountable. Reporters and editors who 
demand reform, accountability, and transparency increasingly find 
themselves at risk. The censorship, intimidation and murder of these

[[Page H14813]]

journalists are not crimes only against these individuals; they also 
impact those who are denied access to their ideas and information.
  Mr. Speaker, we cannot let these crimes go unpunished. We need to 
shine a spotlight brightly on the Philippines until those who are 
responsible are brought to justice. President Arroyo needs to sever any 
ties she has with the Ampatuan clan and should request an independent 
investigation by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation. For 
far too long the Philippines have suffered from the plague of 
corruption, impunity, and violence, and it is time for the 
international community to demand reform.
  November 23, 2009, was a sad day in the history of Philippines and a 
dark day for press freedom. I was proud to support the resolution's 
passage, which puts the United States on record as condemning this 
atrocious act and sending our condolences to the families and friends 
of the victims.

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