An injury to Judge Reyes harms Philippine democracy

A woman judge, yes, is being pitted against a brutal serial killer and mass murderer. And her name is Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes.

For Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., according to a star witness, has killed and raped women before. The junior Andal has no compunction killing his political enemies and anyone he fancies. In fact, says star witness Abdul, whoever he wishes killed in Maguindanao, is murdered.

Fact is, more than 30 women were killed in that massacre in Shariff Aguak. Some of them were brutally killed, mangled and raped.

People are worried that Reyes will suffer the same fate as those whom the Ampatuans fancied. The brutality of the Ampatuans has been exposed before the world. With this Maguindanao massacre case enjoying global attention, any action against those whom government will use to dispense justice will be a direct affront to the Power of the State and a direct mockery of Philippine democracy.

Judge Reyes reportedly rejected offers of security, even saying that she does not fear the Ampatuans. Reyes has handled numerous heinous crimes before and even suffered an assassination attempt. She, according to reports, is no stranger to death threats. Like Miriam Defensor-Santiago before, Judge Reyes eats death threats for breakfast.

What irony that a woman is now the Judge in this gruesome massacre. That is a direct blow to the machismo image being brandied about by these serial mass murderers.

It remains to be seen, however, if the Ampatuans will respect Judge Reyes. If the Ampatuans harm Reyes, they will be harming the State and all that it represents. It will be a direct affront to democracy and will show the world how reckless the Philippine government regards justice and law. And all hell will break loose.