AN URGENT APPEAL TO ALL MY BLOGGER FRIENDS IN THE US

 There is currently a Foreign Affairs Resolution in the US Congress to Condemn  the Maguindanao Massacre sponsored by Congressman Howard Berman and Congressman Chris Smith. We are appealing to all of our blogger friends in the US to please contact their US Senators and Congresspersons to ask them to co-sponsor this critical resolution by Congressman Howard Berman Smith. This is absolutely vital if we hope to have any justice in this situation, given the recent imposition of martial law in the region and the culture of impunity in the country as a whole.  Do give them a call, or email them or send them a letter and urge them for their support.
With such a resolution coming from the US Congress, the mighty midget in power here will have to think twice before attempting to white wash the gruesome incident.  Many thanks and Godspeed.

Foreign Affairs Resolution to Condemn Maguindanao Massacre by Congressman Howard Berman and Congressman Chris Smith

--

Concurrent Foreign Affairs' Resolution to Condemn Maguindanao Massacres of Journalists and Other Citizens

From: e-Dear Colleague
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 9:57 AM
To: E-DEARCOLL_ISSUES_A-F_0000

@ls2.house.gov
Subject: ForeignAffairs: Dear Colleague: Cosponsor Concurrent Resolution on the Recent Politically-Motivated Massacre in the Philippines

Cosponsor Concurrent Resolution on the Recent Politically-Motivated Massacre in the Philippines
From: The Committee on Foreign Affairs
Sent By: Mary.McVeigh@mail.house.gov
Date: 12/8/2009
Last Call!
Co-sponsor Concurrent Resolution on the Recent Politically-Motivated Massacre in the Philippines

Co-sponsor concurrent resolution expressing condolences to the families of 57 unarmed civilians who were slain in the worst politically-motivated violence in recent Philippine history

December 8, 2009

Dear Colleague,

We invite you to join us as a co-sponsor of a concurrent resolution (see text below) that we have introduced on the recent massacre in the Philippines. On November 23, 57 unarmed civilians were slain in Maguindanao in southern Philippines on their way to file nomination papers for a candidate. Many of those who were killed were women and children, including the wife and sisters of the gubernatorial candidate who intended to run against a member of a rival clan. The senseless killing of unarmed civilians– including at least 30 journalists– is an outrage.

This concurrent resolution expresses deep condolences to the families of the 57 civilians who were killed; condemns the culture of impunity that continues to exist among clans, politicians and persons of influence in the Philippines; calls for a transparent and independent investigation of those who are responsible for the massacre, an end to extrajudicial killings and election-related violence, and freedom of press and the safety of reporters who are investigating the massacre; urges the Departments of State and Justice and other U.S. government agencies to offer support in the investigation, wherever possible; and reaffirms our commitment to working alongside Philippines authorities to combat corruption, terrorism, and security threats.

For additional information or to sign on as a cosponsor, please contact Jessica Lee at the House Committee on Foreign Affairs at Jessica.Lee@mail.house.gov.


Sincerely,


/s/ /s/
HOWARD BERMAN and CHRIS SMITH
Member of Congress Member of Congress




CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
H. Con. Res. ___

Expressing sympathy for the 57 civilians who were killed in the southern Philippines on November 23

Whereas, on November 23, 2009, fifty-seven unarmed civilians were slain in Maguindanao in the worst politically motivated violence in the history of the Philippines;

Whereas those killed were on their way to file nomination papers on behalf of Ismael Mangudadatu, vice mayor of Buluan, who intended to run against Andal Ampatuan, Jr. who is currently mayor of Datay Unsu, in next year’s gubernatorial elections to succeed Andal Ampatuan, Sr. the father of Andal Ampatuan, Jr.;

Whereas many of those killed were women and children, including the wife of Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu and his two sisters;

Whereas most of the women were reportedly raped and their bodies were mutilated after being shot;

Whereas as of December 2, 2009, initial charges have been filed in connection with the massacre, according to press reports;

Whereas, the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists reports that at least 30 journalists and media workers were killed in the Maguindanao massacre;

Whereas, the Committee to Protect Journalists reports that prior to the Maguindanao massacre, 30 journalists had been killed in the Philippines since 2000, and suspects were prosecuted in no more than 4 cases, putting into question the safety of journalists and the integrity of independent journalism in the Philippines;

Whereas government prosecutors and judges with jurisdiction over the massacre have allegedly received threats and have been told to “go slow” on the investigation;
Whereas President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of emergency in Maguindanao the day after the massacre, vowing that “no effort will be spared to bring justice to the victims;”

Whereas extrajudicial killings and election-related violence are common in the Philippines, though never on this scale and rarely with this level of brutality; and

Whereas the United States and the Philippines share a strong friendship based on shared history and commitment to democracy and freedom; Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House/Senate
(1) regrets the senseless killing of unarmed civilians and expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the 57 victims;
(2) condemns the culture of impunity that continues to exist among clans, politicians, armed elements and other persons of influence in the Philippines;
(3) calls for a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation and prosecution of those who are responsible for the massacre, including those who committed the killings and anyone who may have ordered them, and that the proceedings be conducted with the highest possible level of professionalism, impartiality and regard for witness protection to assure the Filipino people that all the responsible persons are brought to justice;
(4) calls for an end to extrajudicial killings and election-related violence;
(5) calls for freedom of press and the safety of the reporters investigating the massacre;
(6) urges the Departments of State and Justice and other U.S. government agencies to review their assistance programs to the government of the Philippines, and to offer any technical assistance, such as forensics support, that Philippine authorities may request; and
(7) reaffirms the United States’ commitment to working alongside Philippines authorities to combat corruption, terrorism, and security threats.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Philippine massacre probe focuses on Arroyo ally (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Death Toll Rises In Philippines Massacre (huffingtonpost.com)
• 52 Confirmed Deaths in Philippines Massacre (nytimes.com)