CABANATUAN CITY – A long-time United Nations (UN) official Saturday condemned the Maguindanao massacre and urged traditional politicians to stop the killing of journalists who are only covering events.

In a consultation with local leaders here, Oxford University-educated Dr. Felix “Peck” Cabrera Cantal of the Philippine Green Republican Party (PGRP) asked politicians to spare journalists from political violence.

This developed after Cantal earlier filed his certificate of candidacy in an effort to challenge known political figures that will be running for president in the 2010 national and local elections.

“Traditional politicians must stop killing journalists who are only covering events,” Cantal said in a statement.

“As far as public service is concerned, once elected, I will see to it that media killings will no longer happen again. I condemn the Maguindanao massacre and all other forms of terrorism,” Cantal stressed.

He said his platform of government will rescue the Philippines from poverty and terrorism.

Cantal added that he will not allow terrorism under his administration and he will enforce the rule of law to the fullest.

“I will not allow any violence in my administration and I would fight until my last breath just to preserve the dignity and lives of our poor countrymen specially the innocent civilians,” Cantal added.

“I will use the rule of law against all terrorists and I condemn all these terroristic acts and all forms of violence so that peace in our Motherland is protected and achieved,” he pointed out.

In another development, Cantal said he will institutionalize the issuance of personal identification number (PIN) that will be used in providing monthly support or subsidy to every Filipino starting from one-year-old kids up to the senior citizens and the physically challenged individuals.