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Steven C.

Balbarono BS-Criminology 2

The Bloody Mendiola Massacre

There's a violation in human rights in Mendiola Massacre as it kills innocent workers who only
fight for their right. Their right to life and property was cruelly and inhumanely violated.
No matter who fired first, history cannot change the outcome of that dark, bloody day-12 people
died on the streets, 13 by some accounts. Black Thursday or (Mendiola Massacre) happened
32 years ago. A diplomatic protest that turned into a bloody mess and became infamous around
the world, especially since it followed another international headliner, the People Power
Revolution. Until now, farmers have yet to receive the fairness that they've been asking for. It is
called The Long Road To Agrarian Reform. The sad plight of the farmers started way before any
living president assumed power.Governments after have since promised agrarian reform
policies but nothing notable has materialized.
The farmers, who were experiencing hardships everyday, grew more impatient. That is, until the
EDSA revolution. The farmers reached their breaking point. The March to Mendiola started on
January 15, 1987, Mr. Tambongan is one of those who survived during the shooting he said
‘What was scary was when we shouted 'we need land reforms.' They took out their 30-calibre
guns. They shot at our lines. Immediately, many were hit. Our leader said, 'Pull back, we can't
beat guns. He was able to get away from the shooting unscathed but was later caught by
soldiers. He was brought to Camp Crame but was released that night. He later heard that 13
farmers were killed.
Until now, family of the victims of the Mendiola Massacre continue to seek justice and farmers
continue to fight for their cause. No one was arrested, convicted and punished for the massacre
at Mendiola that killed 13 farmers, namely, Danilo Arjona, Leopoldo Alonzo, Adelfa Aribe,
Dionisio Bautista, Roberto Caylao, Vicente Campomanes, Ronilo Dumanico, Dante Evangelio,
Angelito Gutierrez, Rodrigo Grampan, Bernabe Laquindanum, Sonny Boy Perez and Roberto
Yumul”.
Cheed Britney Calago BS-Criminology 2
Massacre of Hacienda Luisita Sugar Plantation workers in Tarlac, Philippines.

There is a gruesome human rights violation in Hacienda Luisita massacre. The right to life of the
farmers and workers as well as their right to property has been harshly violated.Hacienda
Luisita became one of the most controversial issue in the state as it involves the household of
the late President of the democracy of the Philippines, President Corazon Aquino. It has been
known that when Hacienda Luisita is handed down to Jose "Pepe" Cojuangco by the late
President Ramon Magsaysay through a peso loan from Government Insurance System and
dollar loan to the Manufacturers Trust Company of New York which was guaranteed by the
Central Bank of the Philippines it was associated with an important condition that after 10
years from its purchase in 1958, the 6,435 hectares must be given to its small farmers.
However, in 1968, 10 years after the agreement, no land was made available to any tenant
farmers, opposite from the agreement made. That's why the Hacienda Luisita workers formed
union asked for land distribution but still, no land were distributed and this starts the conflict
between the land owners and the tillers. It is also said that Farmers and Workers have long
been appealing to the Cojuangcos to spare them a piece of land that they call their own.
However, the Cojuangcos never considered these farmers appeal and continuously refuses to
give them what they deserve.
In the afternoon of November 16, Filipino Police and Army units carried out a brutal massacre of
striking sugar plantations workers at Hacienda Luisita, located in Tarlac province. After a stand-
off with the strikers the day before, some 1,000 cops and troops were sent to the hacienda
headquarters, accompanied by two armored personnel carriers, fire trucks and water cannons.
After launching a volley of tear gas grenades, Army riflemen fired point-blank into the picketers’
front lines using live ammunition. A 60-calibre machine gun was also used. Truncheon wielding
police chased migrant workers into their barracks and later combed the ten barangays (villages)
where hacienda workers live. Soldiers were reportedly zoning Barangay Motrico, dragging men
out of their homes and lining them up to be arrested. Dead bodies were found scattered all
around the main gate and the barracks. A total of 14 people were reported killed, including two
children suffocated by the tear gas, and some 200 injured, over 30 with gunshot wounds. A total
of 133 strikers and their supporters were arrested. The Hacienda Luisita massacre is the worst
slaughter of Filipino workers.

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