KUWAIT – The Filipino community in Kuwait was grief-stricken following reports about the massacre that killed 57 people in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao.

Fathma Jumaa expressed sadness over the massacre. She said the incident spoiled the celebration of the Eid Al-Adha or Festival of Sacrifice.

“Nakakalungkot at nakakainis ang nangyari sa Maguindanao, kung saan walang awang pinatay ang mga inosenteng tao. Nangyari ito ngayon pang panahon ng Eid Al-Adha kung saan dapat sana pagmamahalan, pagbibigayan at kapayapaan ang dapat nasa puso't-isipan ng bawat isa,” Jumaa said.

Jumaa also expressed dismay over the very slow action of the Philippine government to resolve the incident.

“Galit ako at naiinis sa gobyerno kasi masyadong matagal ang aksyon nila. 100 ang suspek wala man silang mahuli kahit isa. Tapos ‘yong prime suspect, parang ang gobyerno pa ang nagmamakaawa na sumuko siya. Ano yan? Bakit ganyan?” asked Jumaa.

It can be recalled that Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Affairs, Jesus Dureza went to the Ampatuans and Mangudadatus to convince them to cooperate with authorities.

Datu Unsay Mayor, Anda “Unsay” Ampatuan Jr., is tagged as the mastermind in Monday’s massacre of some family members of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, their supporters, lawyers and journalists.

The Mangudadatu’s were about to file the certificate of candidacy of the vice mayor who is vying for the gubernatorial post in the province. Reports said about a hundred armed men stopped their convoy and brutally killed the victims.

On Thursday, Ampatuan Jr. submitted himself to authorities. He was flown to General Santos City from Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao where inquest proceedings were conducted.

He arrived in Manila Thursday night and was brought to the National Bureau of Investigation pending the resolution of multiple murder complaint filed against him in connection with the massacre of at least 57 people in Maguindanao.

Pinoy migrant workers also extended their sympathies to the families of the victims of the gruesome killings.

“Alam lahat ng mga taga-Maguindanao kung anong nangyayari doon. Kaya lang, walang gustong magsalita dahil sa takot. Nakita ninyo naman kung anong klaseng kahayupan ang kaya nilang gawin,” said another Filipino only identified as “Muamar”.

The native of Maguindanao declined to give his comments on camera for security reasons.

“Naniniwala ako na nangyari ang lahat na ito para makita ng buong mundo ang karahasan sa Maguindanao at para matapos na ang kasamaan ng mga walang kaluluwang mga taong ito,” Muamar said.

Filipino journalists in Kuwait were shocked and angry over the fate of their colleagues.

“Nakakalungkot isipin na mas grabe pa ang Pilipinas ngayon kaysa sa Iraq dahil sa massacre na ‘yon. Talo pa natin ang Iraq at hindi katanggap-tanggap ang mabansagang most dangerous place ang Pilipinas ngayon para sa mga journalists,” said Ben Garcia of the Filipino Panorama/Kuwait Times.

Garcia said the Philippine government must act to protect press freedom in the country.

“Huwag santuhin ang sinumang mga salarin. Grabe, mas ligtas pa pala tayo dito sa Gitnang Silangan kaysa sa sarili nating bansa,” he added.

The Filipino community in Kuwait now seeks justice for the victims of the massacre. They said the government should hold all those involved to account for the crime. Report from Maxxy Santiago, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau, Kuwait