Kristie Kenney - Loved By All

"She's well-loved. Her face exudes meekness. She's well-recognized by people from all walks of life. Even kids adore her. She dances to 'Papaya' with ease and elegance. She's friend to Chris Tiu. She's also my friend on FB. She's Kristie Kenney - the first female US Ambassador to the Philippines."

I doubt if there is still anyone in the Philippines who doesn't recognize Kristie Kenney. By far, she is the most popular US Ambassador to have ever served in the Philippines.

First time I saw her on TV was when she hit the stage for a memorable 'Papaya' dance on UKG. She must be enjoying what she does. She is a darn good dancer though.

My admiration for her does not stop there. Her television appearances would be more frequent. She became more accessible to a common man even just on TV. As a TFC subscriber, it was a great delight seeing her appear on Wowowee and danced to the provocative Willie classic 'Boom Tarat Tarat'. Her smiles are infectious. She wears them with much sincerity.

I must ask myself this question. If she's that amiable, how do the embassy people look like, especially the interviewers? Are they nice too? Don't they not behave like her or a bit like her? She is the boss and they ought to emulate her demeanor! Essentially, I have no idea. I haven't applied yet and I have no reason to apply at all.

With her tenure almost certainly to end (although I prefer not too soon), she will be leaving behind tons of friends and fans who will certainly miss her. In her blog, one can tell that she really enjoys her stint in the Philippines. In fact, she's been able to pick up some words in Tagalog.

Evidently, lots of FB friends reacted with gloom when she announced that she will be leaving anytime soon. This is to pave way for an Obama appointee to take her place as has become customary once a new president is sworn in. But surely Ambassador Kenney will sorely be missed. She will definitely be a tough act to imitate for the next ambassador.

To the most loved ambassador, I know you have had bunch of wonderful and memorable moments spent in the Philippines. And some not-so-nice as well to a lesser extent. You might have deleted some from your storage, but I kept one with me to ponder. It's surreal really but I know you can still recall this.

On July 27, 2009 after the SONA of President Gloria Arroyo, you were picked to give your insights (about the SONA) by Pia Hontiveros of ABS-CBN. There were four of you aligned, each waiting for his or her turn to speak. Three distinguished gentlemen from Congress and yourself. You were on the extreme right. Then Pia started her interviews mostly focusing on the gentlemen without acknowledging your presence. She only did when it was your turn to be interviewed, but only after lengthy discussions with the gentlemen. I can see that you felt left out and bypassed. But you kept yourself composed.

While watching, I felt like I wanted to email ABS-CBN for the poor conduct shown by Ms. Hontiveros. She should have acknowledged you before she started her interviews but chose not to. She might be unaware of it, but the viewers could definitely tell how you were being treated. But being a dignified lady as you are, you dealt it with poise and a lot of class.

Madame Ambassador, when it's time for you to say adieu, I hope that the good memories you have of our country will supersede that of the bad. That no amount of ZTE, Garci, Gloria and Erap stuff will ever stop you from believing that we also have Pacquiao, Penaflorida, Charice and Arnel that are worth bragging about. That the Philippines is not (or will not be) the most dangerous country for journalists anymore...after the 2010 elections.

The Filipino people will truly miss you. Your indelible legacy will always stay. We hope and pray for your safety on another journey. That your next ambassadorial post will be an enjoyable one. Keep the fondness of them as you are with Filipinos, and the citizens of that country will embrace you as one of their own.

As TFC subscribers here in Saudi Arabia, with our means of seeing you only on television, the connection you established with us cannot be snapped. The virtual friendship will remain. And when we say it, we mean it. God bless you!

The Massacre In Maguindanao: My Show Of Protest

"Unprecedented in a democracy. Evil in its entirety. A complete loss of respect for human life. Laws of men flouted with impunity. Who do they think they are? Are they demi-gods?"

I am lost for words. My eyes transfixed on the graphic brutality shown on television. I couldn't muster my spontaneous self to commentate. I kept still. I just pieced every single image. The brutality unleashed its scale beyond belief. Who are the perpetrators? Who are these beasts in Maguindanao?

On the third day since the massacre, fifty-seven dead bodies have been accounted for. This includes men and women from the Mangudadatu clan who were supposed to file for candidacies in the capital. Among the dead were fourteen journalists who were with the convoy to cover the event. Two women lawyers were not even spared. Civilians who just happened to be in close proximity with the convoy also bore the wrath of the criminals. They all died a savage death.

Fortunately for Ismael Toto Mangudadatu - the presumed candidate for governor of the province, he was spared from the carnage but his wife and sister were not that fortunate.

All the dead bore evidences of torture. Most of them were shot at close range, their faces disfigured. Women were raped before being murdered. Their private parts left exposed by the perverts. And many of the dead were buried in a shallow grave aided by the bulldozer owned by the province.

It was later known that rumors of an impending carnage circulated within the town of Ampatuan. This is proof that the plot to murder political opponents had earlier been hatched by the perpetrators. The intent itself to participate in a democratic process was enough to seal the destiny of the victims. Their mortal sin - daring to cross paths with the reigning powerful clan of Maguindanao - the Ampatuans.

Maguindanao is in the heartland of Muslim Mindanao. It is the third poorest province in the country. Its people are called Maranaos. Traditions of clan fightings abound within the area. Political dynasties are norms in the government. Reigning members of the clan hold as many as elective and appointive positions in the government. Even popular actress-politician Alma Moreno was married to a Maranao mayor - albeit in a polygamous set-up. Just few things my brain could store about this now infamous province, among others.

The Ampatuans led by its acknowledged patriarch Andal Ampatuan the governor of Maguindanao, have been close allies with the administration. They were proven to be reliable when it comes to support they could give in any election. True enough, the governor did ensure the victory of Arroyo in 2004, and delivering an inconceivable 12-0 victory to the senatoriables of the administration. Massive cheating was done almost at will in broad daylight, right under the noses of the civilian and military entities. Until now, it is incomprehensible why no one was prosecuted despite all the evidences.

The return of favor from the office of the president would then follow. The Ampatuans were allowed to keep private army for their protection. Some boys as young as ten would be enlisted to the militia - they otherwise call as the CVO or Civilian Volunteers Organization in their own legal assertion. The sight of a rifle-wielding boy ready to protect his lord is not a normal thing one would see in a democratic state. But this has become an accepted norm in Maguindanao for the revered and feared Ampatuans.

As the investigation of this grisly massacre develops, everybody is ready to point fingers at the Ampatuans. Based on early reports, the perpetrators were men of Andal Ampatuan Jr., one of the sons of Andal, the governor of the province who also grooms his son Zaldy to succeed him. The incriminating evidence against the Ampatuans screams loudest of this barbaric incident - only the devil is capable of plotting. No human being could live with the thought of having murdered fifty-seven innocent victims and yet goes on with his normal life.

It is also noted that the aggrieved clan of Mangudadatu are relatives of the Ampatuans through intermarriages - a tradition prevalent among Muslims. Some members of the Mangudadatu clan are also holding powerful positions in the province.The political stranglehold of these two clans in Maguindanao has become so impervious that a gatecrasher to the pen is unimaginable. And so their grip on power all the more tightens. But in this case, even a relative is deemed a threat and so their end had been brutally decided.

Although the call for swift justice is getting louder by the hour, it is still a grim reality that it did actually happen in a democracy like ours. It is difficult to comprehend, that our very own president has created a monster in the form of the Ampatuans. The culture of impunity and complete disregard of the rule of law stemmed from that pampering hand from Malacañan. The question whether justice will be administered in this gruesome massacre remains hanging in the balance.

News of this unthinkable brutality has created a wave of condemnation from international communities. Even the UN Secretary General was alarmed by this incident. Different media rights organizations join the condemnation in the strongest terms possible. And this has consequently elevated the Philippines to the status of being the most dangerous country for journalists. A distinction that this government should be ashamed of.

With all due respect, it is now your time Madame President to shine. Your term in office will certainly end few months from now. You have ample time left to redeem yourself. Honor the legacy of your father in a way that you would want your offspring to honor you in years to come. All the powers and authority is at your disposal. Show the Filipino people that you put this nation above everything else. That in the interest of democracy the rule of law will prevail. That no criminals of bestial character will go unpunished... at least in the remaining days of your office. Don't delay Madame President!

And to the criminals - the evil ones - the murderers - the beasts of Maguindanao - I know you also worship the god of your prophet. You claim to be peacemakers and you're proud of your heritage. The bravery of your ancestors is legendary beyond compare. But your greed has consumed your whole being. You led your people to transgress others outside of your fold . You live lives full of envy, hatred and wrath, that you did not spare even the innocent who are unable to protect themselves.

Your doom is near. Even your confidence of invincibility will wear you down. You will not be spared from the vengeance that the Mighty God has appointed for you. You and your people who take delight in the murders of the innocent. You and your people who feasted on the women whom you raped and murdered. Murderers and perverts, woe unto you! For God has assuredly said in His words,"I will never leave the wicked go unpunished."

Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism / Reporters Without Borders