It saddens me to see so many journalist, would be political candidate and their relatives killed in the Philippines as they accompany a convoy traveling to file an application to run for governor in a local provincial election. Women were reportedly raped also. Election violence have been a staples of Philippine democracy. Since the world renown People Power overthrew the Marcos dictatorship, Philippine’s road to democracy have been a tumultuous one. It has been mired in corruption, warlordism, election fraud and political killings – some of the same ingredients that lead to the failure of democracy in China, giving way to rise of Communism in that country.
The fact that this massacre is garnering international condemnation would help shone a spotlight on the violent political culture that exist in that country. Maintaining Democracy is hard work. Unfortunately Philippine have a long way to go to overcome all the hurdles a young democracy faces. International condemnation would help pressure the Philippine government to do something and not treat this as business as usual.
News Source and Related Article : Christian Science Monitor Global News Blog
Associated press have a more graphic detail account of the massacre.
