We, The Alliance of Media Advocates (TAMA), an emerging association of media persons advocating for reproductive health and human development all over the country, strongly condemn, to the highest and strongest possible terms, the brutal murder of hardworking media persons in Maguindanao on November 23, 2009.
We believe the massacre of a dozen or so journalists, the worst so far in Philippine history, was an attack against freedom of expression and human rights in a democratic society.
The journalists who perished have been performing their jobs and have nothing to do with the rivalries involving powerful political clans in the province.
We call on well-meaning citizens and fellow journalists in the country to join hands in condemning the senseless, heinous, and barbaric act.
We strongly demand the national government to bring the perpetrators before the bar of justice, without fear of retreat or favor for the preservation of peace, freedom and democracy.
We urge that the long arm of the law will finally pin down those responsible in this inhuman act.
Stop media killings! Stop media repression!