Condemn the Sinner

Days have passed since the pictures of massacred bodies in Maguindanao shocked everyone in the evening news and in the papers. But the same intensity of outrage can still be felt. This is going to be the case until the real perpetrators have been put behind bars.

Institutions, especially the media, have released their own statements of condemnation. Ideally neutral and objective, media this time cannot close their eyes to the horror and their hearts to the anger. Their own have been in the center of the murders. A terror attack to their profession and their cause.

And while the world is watching, this government again fumbles to find an answer that would silence the doubters in thinking that it can give a prompt resolution to the mess. Instead, fears of a whitewash is imminent considering the perpetrators' connection to Gloria Arroyo and her cohorts.

If the media wants its justice, then it should never cease in its vigilance. It should tirelessly monitor the progress of the case, especially the actions and decisions of this government towards it. This country is tired of propaganda and media management that this government so well have applied. Condemn the sinner, but let justice be delayed - by processes, rights, and any other delaying tactics that the Ampatuans lawyers can think of. Sooner or later, the public have forgotten, and the perpetrators can do about their business, with impunity.

All because this government, for one reason or another, will not act appropriately.

With the magnitude of the crime, we should condemn the sinner. No, it's not against the Church to do it. The Church assumes the sinner is still human. In this case, the "sinner" is not. It's an animal that must be shot before it can do anymore damage.