It is not uncommon, due to its geographical location, Philippines appearing in the international press as a stage of natural tragedies. In recent days has drawn attention for the violence that has been unleashed: as result of a local political struggle were massacred forty-six people, some of the victims were decapitated and others, buried in a communal grave. Philippines with a population of 90 million inhabitants, has throughout its history suffered invasions, occupations and dictatorships. Among the latter the most remarkable was that of Ferdinand Marcos, which lasted 21 years. In 1986 came awaited democracy, which despite a series of conflicts, many tensions and threats has managed to sustain itself. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, of the political party Lakas-Kampi will govern that country until 2010.
Arroyo was elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2004. Last year went through a social crisis and was on the verge of falling by a massive popular protest against official corruption. But currently the political campaign, threatens to become in a hell. Under the young and fragile Philippine democracy remain huge feudal powers that exert the same blood and fire, are families entroncadas in the provinces of the country. One of them is the Ampatuan, which dominates the area of Maguindanao; Another is the Mangudadatu in a neighbouring region. Ampatuan is an ally of President Arroyo and the second of an Islamic guerrilla.
The campaign has faced two powerful clans, who seem unwilling to their rivalry is resolved by democratic means through the ballot box. The Government then after the massacre in the South of the island of Mindanao, condemned the massacre, decreed the State of emergency in the province, one of the poorest in the country and promised that it will punish the guilty. But the fact generated great concern, because armed groups abound in the Philippines, and among other nasty conditions, violence has the ability to degrade is always a little more. Without a doubt, in the case of result winner in the May 2010 presidential election awaits one difficult task to Benigno Aquino, son of a slain leader of the deceased President Corazon Aquino. Opinion studies present him as the big favorite that will be combat or coexist to this strange mixture in Philippine society from feudalism and democracy.