The report on the Maguindanao Massacre puts our country again in a bad light. It is everybody’s wish and prayer that it did not occur at all.  But the manner of executing more than fifty (57) innocent victims, particularly for women and the journalists, who, in the service of truth and information for the country, accompanied the civilian victims, revealed sick minds behind the crime.  There are not enough words to condemn the crime against life and its sacredness as it was violated in Maguindanao last Monday.

The attempt at the massive cover up of such a heinous crime even revealed the beastly behavior of criminals, kicking dirt at its own defecation.  The animal-like conduct of the mass killers in the Maguindanao massacre was so completely inhuman that we are sure no culture, no tradition and no faith in this world will ever recognize.

And if it is proven that the wickedly planned liquidation was linked with politics or political elections, then, to the nation and the world, this is already a revelation of what psychopathic mentality can sometimes wrap Philippine politics.  I hope this is not true!

For the sake of the decent Filipinos, and in the name of humanity, we urge the President of the Republic of the Philippines to immediately put the criminals under the clutches of the Law --- irrespective of who they are --- and give them a fair trial in order that Justice may be served to the victims and human retribution be given the criminals.

Let us keep the victims and their souls in our prayers that they may rest in Peace.  Let us also pray for the families of the murdered that compassion may continue in their clan, and that peace may thrive in their minds, at home and their relationships.

God love and bless us all!

+GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES
Archbishop of Manila