Today we are remembering those who were killed and injured in what is known as the Mendiola Massacre. 21 years ago, a crowd control troops open fired on a protest rally of about 10,000 peasant farmers demanding genuine land reform from the Philippine Government. Thirteen of the protesters were killed and hundreds more were injured in that incident.
during the 70s, Mendiola Street has been witness to violent confrontations between protesters and government troops. Under the regime of then President Ferdinand Marcos, Mendiola Street was the site of the Battle of Malacañang or The Battle of Mendiola Bridge on January 30, 1970 which resulted to four student demonstrators dead on the spot.
Mendiola Street is a short thoroughfare in the district of San Miguel, and starts from the intersection of Legarda and Claro M. Recto Avenues and ends just outside Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the President of the Philippines. Mendiola is famous for being the venue for protest actions against an incumbent government and is the site to some colleges and universities that form the area of Manila known as the University Belt. Because of the tight security at the Malacañang Palace, authorities decided to close half of Mendiola Street starting from the sentinel gate in front of the College of the Holy Spirit and La Consolacion College to protect the palace from different forms of threats.
related links :
luis liwanag's remembers his own account on the massacre that happened 21 years ago
senor enrique's photo essay on the mendiola massacre rally this year 2008
