Call it barbarism. Call it acts of demonic minds. Call it an animalistic carnage, but even animals know how to show compassion to their kind.

Last Monday’s mass slaughter of politicians, lawyers, journalists and civilians in Maguindanao province is unprecedented in Philippine history. It is so difficult to borrow the exact words of indignation that could paint the nation’s outrage and that of civil societies all over the world over the mass slaughter of innocent, helpless, defenseless civilians.

Police estimated the death toll could reach 50. They belonged to a convoy of 57 persons who were on their way to a Comelec office. Of the group, 37 were accompanying journalists who were supposed to cover the filing of candidacy certificate of Esmael Mangudadatu, vice mayor Buluan town, Maguindanao. He will challenge Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of former Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan, in the 2010 gubernatorial race.

En route to the Comelec office in the morning, a group of about 100 armed men ambushed and abducted Mangudadatu’s family, including the accompanying journalists. Later in the afternoon, Mangudadatu’s wife, sisters, and relatives were found dead, shot and brutally mutilated. As of this writing, it appeared that no one was spared in the demonic killing. More than 30 journalists were included in the slaughter spree. The slain women were reported to have been raped before they were beheaded or mutilated.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, an ally of the Ampatuans who rule in Southern Mindanao with an iron fist, has declared a national day of mourning for the Maguindanao massacre victims.

Commission on Human Rights Chair Leila de Lima had expressed bottomless outrage. She said: “What kind of animals are these killers?” “We are so shocked and enraged. This is beyond words. It is most despicable. This is the work of someone who is not human. It is a bestial act of the highest order. I have never seen anything like it. It’s brutal ruthlessness all in the name of power. It’s an affront to all forms of civility.”

The Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) said: “This crime against humanity, that surpasses all imagination, underscores the repeated calls of the PEC for an additional protocol or convention to protect journalists.”

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the Maguindanao massacre, which he called a “heinous crime against humanity.”

The rest of the nation are still stunned, speechless, and appalled at the unthinkable brutality done in the name of political ambitions, power greediness. It shows that in this country, heartless individuals are willing to sell their souls to occupants of hell so they could perpetuate their stay in power.

We call on the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to leave no stone unturned in the investigation and bring to trial those who were behind the mass killing of innocent civilians. If Arroyo would bury this issue in the name of political indebtedness, she is as guilty as the murderers and killers are.

As a democratic country, we should never get intimidated with those who want to rule this country as if they were gods and above the law. The barbarians must be stopped.

If we want to preserve the sovereignty of the state and the rule of law, let us unite and end the barbarism and terrorism sponsored by heartless and lawless men.