MANILA – A solidarity mission that will look into the massacre of 57 people, including media men, in Maguindanao is set to arrive in the Philippines next month.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said it will send the mission on December 7 to 10 to support the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and provide solidarity to journalists and the families of the victims.

In the statement signed by IFJ president Jim Boumelha and general secretary Aidan White, it stated that a global day of solidarity for the victims on December 9, the eve of International Human Rights Day, will highlight the mission. The mission will also send “the clearest message possible to the government that this is an outrage they will not be allowed to forget”.

The group, representing 600,000 journalists in 123 countries, criticized the Arroyo government for its denial that there is systemic violence against journalists in the Philippines.

It cited a letter to the IFJ from the Chairman of Task Force 211 in the Philippines last August 10 that said the Philippine government "will never tolerate that kind of environment."

"We call on you to ensure your Government and police and security forces live up to this statement of intolerance for the murders of journalists, by conducting a thorough and credible investigation into the November 23 atrocity, and ensuring security and protection for all journalists and media workers across the Philippines," White said in a letter to President Arroyo.

On November 23 (Monday), about 100 armed men stopped the convoy of the wife of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu while on her way to file the certificate of candidacy on behalf of her husband. The convoy included the vice mayor’s two sisters, supporters, lawyers, and journalists.

Authorities recovered the remains of at least 57 people, including the bodies of about 27 journalists.

"This is the biggest single atrocity against journalists in recent history," IFJ said.

Prior to the massacre, the IFJ noted that at least 75 journalists had been killed under the Arroyo government, and only four cases have seen successful prosecutions.

"Outside of Iraq, the Philippines has become the most dangerous country for journalists this century. A clear culture of impunity has been allowed to flourish under this government which must no longer be tolerated," it said.

Following Monday's massacre, IFJ asked Mrs. Arroyo for her "immediate and full commitment" to ensure that all parties responsible are held accountable to the full limit of the law.