Unprecedented, yes. But, isolated case, no.

That perhaps fairly accurately describes what happened on Nov. 23, 2009 in Maguindanao province.

A number of observers and pundits have quite naively predicted a quick and easy conviction of the suspects. They citie the evidence being made public by the police. How Filipinos would like that to happen but many doubt whether justice will be served. Why do I think so? A culture of impunity has persisted under the Arroyo administration. Many journalists, lawyers and activists have been killed in the past but convictions have been scarce and no mastermind has been punished so far.

The Arroyo administration appears to be disinterested in justice, and focuses only on ways and means to keep a grip on political power even going to the extent of coddling mass murderers, warlords, assassins and killers. President Arroyo appears to be the worst product of a Philippine social system that is rotten to the core — dominated by a few clans, it is paranoid and brutal vis-a-vis its foes. It will never easily and voluntarily relinquish power.

To help those who wish to understand the Maguindanao massacre and why it is more than meets the eye, here are some online resources:

On Maguindanao, warlordism and electoral violence

On killings of journalists

On killings of lawyers

On all types of extrajudicial killings