When Atty. Concepcion Jayme-Brizuela set off on her fateful journey last Monday, it was likely heroism or heroics was farthest from her mind. She was part of a precedent-setting journey for political rights in Maguindanao. Atty. Jayme-Brizuela was part of the caravan of women and media persons accompanying the wife of Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, his aunt and sister. They were set to file the former’s certificate of candidacy for governor of Maguindanao. Jayme-Brizuela joined to give legal advice, if necessary.
The political caravan turned out to be a funeral cortege for her and for 56 other people, mostly women.
Eduardo and Cynthia Lechonchito were on their way to the capital for health reasons. Cynthia needed an MRI procedure for her health condition. On the highway, it so happened that they were behind the Mangudadatu caravan. The journey for life and well-being turned out to be a journey of horror, carnage and a horrible death.
The grisly mass slaughter has triggered national outrage and worldwide indignation which have pressured the government into taking action against a favored political clan. If the pressure continues, steps might be undertaken not only to file charges and bring the guilty to trial and imprisonment but also towards dismantling and disabling of private armies disguised as “civilian volunteer organizations.”
The fifty-seven human sacrificial lambs whose lives were laid on the altar of political rights and freedom are heroes. Heroism can be accidental. It is hardly planned. Because of their undeserved death, the cancer of clan wars and political vendetta might finally be excised.
Last Friday, Silliman University held an indignation rally in Dumaguete City. Jayme-Brizuela finished her degree in creative writing and journalism at Silliman in 1975. Eduardo and Cynthia were parents of Stephanie, a medical technology student of the university.
Rido, clan violence and poverty
A number of studies have been featured which explain the phenomenon of “rido.” The studies show that activities related to rido are not linked to religion.
Lest readers conclude that clan violence is a Muslim phenomenon, we must remember that election-related violence and clan wars have occurred in other parts of the country. The brutal murder of Moises Padilla in Negros Oriental triggered the earliest attempts to dismantle private armies and “special police forces.” For decades, the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Masbate, Ilocos Sur and many other places have been associated with election related violence and clan wars. These are known as “hotspots”. Private armies proliferate in these areas. Many of them are even government funded!
If “rido” is associated with Mindanao, the rest of the country has “ubusan ng lahi.”
Through the years political clans have built up economic and social power. They not only control politics in their territories; they are also into business—legitimate or otherwise, criminal or otherwise. Decades of coddling and non-interference from national authorities have allowed them to consolidate their economic, social and political control, enabling them to deliver 100% votes to their political clients and zero returns to their enemies.
It appears that the power of political clans is exacerbated and strengthened by chronic poverty. Take Maguindanao. Mention has already been made of the fact that Maguindanao is the third poorest province in the country with 62% poverty incidence. This means that more than 3/5 of the population can be considered poor. This is in contrast to the sprawling mansions of the Ampatuans in Maguindanao and Davao.
According to the Social Watch/Action for Economic Reforms Quality of Life Index which combines health, nutrition and education indices, Maguindanao is among the ten provinces with the lowest quality of life. It ranks No. 69 out of 77 provinces.
Government statistics in 2006 also reports that in terms of public health personnel, the province has 18 doctors, 24 nurses, 163 midwives and 1 nutritionist for a population of 835,732!
DepEd statistics show that in 2006-2007 Maguindanao had a completion rate for elementary education of only 32.92%.
Only 27.90% of 127,715 households have access to clean water, according to DILG. Less than 50% of the households in 19 municipalities have clean water. In the town of Matanog only 5.76% of households have access to potable water!
It is not surprising that considering the level of poverty and access to basic social services, people turn to warlords for their survival.
Maguindanao pork
The Department of Budget and Management reports that the Internal Revenue Allotment of Maguindanao is P1.080 billion for the province, P1.731 billion for the municipalities, and P616.57 million for the barangays or a whopping P3.428 billion for the province, municipalities and barangays!
This is what is at stake in the province and helps explain why 57 lives were considered expendable. The reader can draw his or his own conclusions.
