Massacre photos break Fil-Ams’ hearts

LOS ANGELES, California—Lorie Lee looked upset as she gazed at the photos depicting the tragic fate of the 32 journalists and 26 other victims of the Maguindanao massacre.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Lee, a 62-year-old caregiver who attended the photo exhibit and prayer memorial honoring the massacre victims on Wednesday at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (Facla) Hall in Los Angeles.

“I feel sorry for the victims’ families. No amount of money can replace the life of a loved one,” she said.

The event, organized by Filipino-American media professionals, was held to mark the second anniversary of the massacre, to remember the victims and demand a speedy delivery of justice and an end to the killings of journalists. Included in the exhibit were the photographs taken by Inquirer photographer Rem Zamora.

Jack Vergara, an 84-year-old World War II veteran, was angry and disappointed at what he described as an assault on the freedom and democracy that he had fought for.

‘No respect for life’

“There’s no more respect for the law, and there’s no respect for human life. The government has to be awakened,” said Vergara.

Fatima Gordon, a registered nurse, said she heard about the massacre right after it happened two years ago, but she had forgotten about it until she viewed the exhibit on Thursday.

“It makes me sad, but I want to be reminded about this. We should care about what’s going on back home,” she said.

Guest speaker Roy Mabasa, former National Press Club president, choked back tears as he talked about his memories of colleague and friend Bong Reblando, one of the 32 murdered journalists. Mabasa noted that when Reblando was killed he was wearing the same Hawaiian shirt that Mabasa had seen him wearing when Reblando visited him in Manila.

Another speaker, US journalist and author Loren Fleckenstein, said that when his articles angered politicians “my worst fear was losing my job…I never had to worry about losing my life.”

“I stand here humbled by the memory of these journalists who had the courage to risk their lives,” he said.

The event was organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-US Chapter, the Filipino American Press Club of Los Angeles, Philippine American Press Club, Philippine Press Photographers-USA, Frontliners Media Group and F7, in cooperation with the Justice for Filipino American Veterans and People’s Core.

The exhibit featured photos taken by Rem Zamora, Nonoy Espina, Jess Aznar and Erik de Castro of Thomson Reuters.