My mind is so occupied by news about the Ampatuan massacre. I've known even before that Maguindanao is an election hotspot, but it was only now that I really got the idea of how chaotic politics in Maguindanao is.
The victims were civilians who fearlessly tried to exercise democracy. Some sought it by deciding to file their certificates of candidacy for public office. I'm pretty sure there had been warnings and threats surrounding their plan to run against the ruling family, but still they made their way to the COMELEC office, peaceful and armless. The others were journalists who were supposed to be enjoying press freedom. They could have brought us news that would bring hope to everyone. It was found out later on that other victims were not even included in the convoy but were merely passers-by. The people who are mandated by law to protect them mercilessly took their lives.
I suddenly remembered the song "Let There be Peace on Earth", which I learned when I was in Grade 2. It speaks of one's desire to live in peace with the rest of the world, which goes with a vow for it to begin with him. I found myself crying and asking myself how will I ever possibly be powerful enough to bring peace to the world? I feel hopeless, helpless and inutile.
As long as there are people who cling on to their power by selling
their souls to the devil, peace will remain a dream and a total
impossibility. But if dreaming is the only thing I can do, then I shall
keep on doing so. I shouldn't lose hope that democracy still works. We have to make it work, the same way as the victims themselves tried. Never will I stop believing that no matter how big the evils surrounding us are, we have a bigger God who will never abandon us.
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