Inhuman slaughter in Maguindanao

It is hard to describe what happened on Monday in the southern Philippines province of Maguindanao, where at least 46 civilians including relatives and supporters of a family of local politicians, plus 12 journalists, were killed by gunmen. It was a bestial act that none of us can comprehend. The killings resulted from a feud between local political clans. Political murders are quite common in the Philippines, but this time the sheer size of the massacre has left Filipinos and the international community stunned, with a sense of disbelief.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has already declared a state of emergency in the area, in order to disarm local warlords and place the situation under the military's control. This could boost confidence. But the media's access to the area could be further curtailed. President Arroyo has to demonstrate her leadership and prove that she is in control of the situation and is acting without fear or favour.

Reports in the Filipino media about close connections between President Arroyo and the influential Ampatuan and Mangudadatu clans have also raised the political stakes. Both clans, who used to be in alliance, helped her win the presidency in the previous election. It is incumbent upon her that she orders an immediate investigation into the killings and finds out who was responsible.

The media in the Philippines has pointed to the upcoming May election as one of the reasons for politically motivated massacres involving these two clans. Of course, past elections have seen casualties, but not like the carnage we have witnessed this week. This will be a tough test for democracy in the Philippines, which has, in recent decades, stood firm against local warlords and terrorism. Arroyo has to rise above the current conflict and quickly restore public confidence and show that she has what it takes to deal with this atrocity.

Being a political journalist in the Philippines is like playing with death. Year after year, the murders of Filipino journalists have been reported in the international media. Iraq, during the height of the war there, used to be the most dangerous place in the world for reporters. Not anymore. The senseless slaughter in Maguindanao has given us a valuable lesson that these bloodthirsty clans are a dangerous threat to the lives of journalists. Better protection for reporters in the Philippines is urgently needed. So far, the Arroyo government has done a bad job in bringing to justice the culprits. According to the Centre for Media Freedom and Responsibility, only one perpetrator has ever been put on trial.

It is now vital that UN Security Council Resolution 1738, passed in 2006, on the safety of journalists be implemented fully. The preamble to the resolution expresses concern at the frequency of acts of violence against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in armed conflicts. It calls for an end to such attacks around the world. All UN members have the duty to end impunity and prosecute those responsible for these violations.

Journalists trying to do their job are often caught in the middle. But they also have a responsibility to be vigilant and to learn more about local conditions as a safety precaution.