by Joy Sevilla

General Santos City (November 26) -- Undersecretary of Justice Ricardo Blancaflor has urged members of the local media in Socsksargen to help the department in the investigation of Maguindanao massacre by providing any information about the gruesome death of at least 57 people in Maguindanao.

"We will appreciate any information po whether tsismis po yan, kaya kung meron man po kayong ibang alam na information, ipagbigay-alam lang po natin, meron po tayong action center sa PIA (Philippine Information Agency)," Blancaflor said to more than 50 members of the local tri-media during the indignation rally infront of Plaza Heneral Santos, Tuesday night.

Blancaflor added that there will also be full-time prosecutors to allow more time for the filing of cases against the suspects in the massacre.

"Mula ngayong gabi until two weeks, full-time na magtatrabaho ang ating mga prosecutors kahit gabi," he said.

He further appealed to the members of the local media to help them seek for witnesses, saying "this is not a time to grieve, but this is a time to fight."

"Magtulungan tayo, kailangan namin ng tulong ninyo, kailangan natin ng testigo," he said.

Blancaflor also expressed his gratitude to the different non-government organizations that took initiatives in condemning the killing of mediamen, including women politicians and lady lawyers, in Barangay Saniag, Ampatuan town.

"Kung wala kayo rito, di namin kaya ang laban na ito," he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Sarangani Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, who joined in the indignation rally, also expressed his sympathy to the local media.

"Hindi namin ma-describe kung ano'ng dapat naming maramdaman sa nangyari, but we are here for them 100 percent," Solon said.

A state of emergency has already been imposed in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato. This is after Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza recommended such action while investigations are still ongoing.