By MYLAH REYES-ROQUE
SEVEN women on Friday marked the third anniversary of the Ampatuan killing giving interviews left and right, at times dividing themselves in teams to appear in simultaneous TV and radio shows.
Noemi Parcon, whose husband Joel is among the 58 people killed in the election-related rampage, said back home in Koronadal City, she and some of her fellow victims have been called publicity-seekers.
It is uncalled for, she said, because the reality is, if they don’t talk, they would be perceived as having been bought by the Ampatuans, the primary accused in the ongoing multiple murder case.
“Ang isip kasi nila sa probinsiya, pag hindi ka na nakikita sa TV, hindi ka na nagpapa-interview, hindi ka na nagpupunta sa Maynila, nabayaran ka na (Those in the province think you’ve been bought if you don’t appear on TV, don’t give interviews and don’t go to Manila).”
Zenaida Duhay said that on her way to Manila from Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat, some people in her neighborhood asked her why she still bothers to travel.
“Sinasabi nila, wala na iyong kaso nyo, tapos na iyon. Para bang iniinis ako. Sabi nila, pader kasi ang binangga nyo (They said, your case is over, as if taunting me. They said we were crashing a wall).”
Fellow widow Monet Salaysay countered, “Eh bato ka naman (But you’re a rock)!”
Monet is the widow of Napoleon Salaysay who wrote for Clearview Gazette in Cotabato City. Zenaida’s husband Jose wrote for Gold Star Daily in Tacurong City.
Of the seven women, five are widows while two others, Catherine Nunez and Juliet Evardo, lost their sons in what the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called the “deadliest single attack on the press” ever documented. All women lost loved ones who had worked in the media. Until three years ago, they have never had to face a camera or be the subject of a media interview.
On Friday, Noemi and Monet appeared at GMA 7’s “Unang Hirit” with Arnold Clavio at 6 a.m. An hour later, it was Catherine Nunez and Duhay’s turn to be interviewed live by Susan Enriquez and DZBB anchor Joel Reyes Zobel in “Kape at Balita.” Cipriana Gatchalian, Editha Tiamzon and Juliet Evardo were also interviewed live by Kara David at another show, “GMA’s News to Go.”
After “Unang Hirit,” Noemi transferred to nearby station ABS CBN for Karen Davila’s “Headstart,” after which she joined Monet and Catherine in radio station DZMM located in the same compound to be interviewed by Lynda Jumilla and Henry Omega Diaz.
Two days earlier, fresh from their flight, all seven widows appeared in a press conference by Centerlaw and Media Defence South East Asia (MDSEA), a network of lawyers who are advocates of a free media in the region.
MDSEA Executive Director HR Dipendra talked of the need for a speedy disposition of the Ampatuan case, the arrest of the remaining suspects who are at large and live coverage of the trial.
Despite the packed schedule, Monet said she is grateful for the opportunity to be heard.
“Gustong gusto ko ang ma-interview, hindi ako napapagod kahit paulit-ulit ang tanong. Hindi ako natatakot, ipaglalaban ko talaga dahil ako ang naapakan ang karapatan (I like being interviewed. I don’t mind even if I’m asked the same question. I am also not afraid. I will fight because my right had been trampled upon).”
A public school teacher, Noemi did not have a difficult time talking to journalists. Monet, a midwife who works in a hospital, is friendly and gregarious.
It was a different matter, however, for Cipriana Gatchalian and Zenaida, two widows who struggled to overcome their innate shyness. Both women said it is important that they continue to tell their story.
Still, Zenaida would always answer straightforward any question specifically directed to her. She recalled participating in a media-led march at the Supreme Court where some of her fellow victims covered their faces with a mask. “Pero kami nakalantad ang mukha namin (But we showed our faces).”
Noemi said they are exposed in more ways than one, compared to the heirs of other victims who chose to be quiet. She admits that the high costs of traveling to Manila from Maguindanao prevent many of their colleagues from traveling and perhaps, from speaking out.
“Pero sinabihan nga kami na mapapel daw kami. Sabi ko, sige maghintay lang kayo ng resulta, kami ang nanganganib ang buhay sa pagsasalita, pero kayo dyan lang kayo sa tabi—tapos kapag natapos ang kaso, lahat tayo makikinabang (They call us attention seekers. But I tell them, just you wait for the results. We are endangering our lives by speaking out while you choose to sit it out. But all of us will benefit once the case is over).”
After the anniversary, the seven women return to their home, back to quietly raising their family.
In Davao, Cipriana said journalists know where she lives and she is used to them knocking at her gate. “Nagbibihis ako, humaharap ako sa kanila (I would dress up and face them).”
She said her children are concerned but she tells them, “Makakatulong yan sa atin para mabuhay ang kaso (This is going to help keep the case alive).”