I did not know Atty. Cynthia Oquendo and her father, but from the
recollections of their colleagues and friends gathered here this evening, I
have the picture of two individuals that cared about people and loved their
families.
This is a tragic and sad occasion. Nothing I say will assuage the grief of
those who have lost a loved one, and this is especially so when we consider
the horrible manner in which the lives of Cynthia and her father were
snuffed out.
It may be small consolation to the grieving, but let me point out
nevertheless that Cynthia died in the line of duty—a lawyer dedicated to
human rights till the bitter end. It may do little to lessen the pain, but
it must be said that Cynthia, her father, and all those who were part of
that fateful convoy were heroes of democracy.
The people who carried out the massacre of 57 defenseless individuals were
monsters. But we must remember that they were people that became monsters
because they were coddled, fed, and nurtured by successive administrations
desperate to have their votes to stay in power. The worst practitioner of
this art of nurturing violent warlords as a base of support is the current
occupant of Malacanang.
Local warlords and national elites have combined to subvert and shake to its
foundations the democratic system that was restored in our country in 1986.
Yet there is hope, and it is hope that is nurtured by small but significant
acts such as that which Atty. Oquendo undertook on the last day of her life:
a mission to ensure that a candidate would be able to file his certificate
of candidacy despite the efforts of warlord clan to thwart it.
The Maguindanao Massacre may yet be a turning point in our history. It may
be the spark that will finally create an angry citizens’ movement to reclaim
our democracy from the clutches of the warlords and corrupt national elites
that threaten to suffocate it.
I do not normally deploy religious sayings to make a point. However, I do
not think that there is a more apt description of the significance of the 57
victims’ sacrifice of their lives than the words “the road to salvation is
watered with the blood of martyrs.” In giving up their lives, Cynthia
Oquendo, her father, and their companions in that fateful journey to Sharif
Aguak gave this despairing country hope and maybe the courage to act.
Walden Bello