DaangDokyu 2020: Mendiola Massacre (1987)

Martial Law, Never Again
September 19-21, 2020

At first glance, this lineup of films is about Martial Law, its continuing legacy of violence, plunder, and divisiveness. Looking further, it is also about the schemes of those in power whose victim, ultimately, is the ordinary Filipino. A much closer inspection reveals that this program is about the Filipino’s elusive freedom — our unfinished struggles to break free from our oppressors and be treated with dignity — rooted in our colonial past and continuing through our attempts at nationhood.

There is no moving on because we are still in the thick of it. We are not simply dealing with memory but with a rolling and raging history. That is why through decades of restlessness, we are constantly being asked to rise and take a side.

Mendiola Massacre (1987)
Lito Tiongson (AsiaVisions, IBON Foundation)

Mendiola Massacre is a newsreel of the massacre in Mendiola Bridge on January 22, 1987. The protest action for genuine agrarian reform by peasant organizations led by Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) resulted in the deaths of thirteen farmers and injuries of hundreds of civilians.

Thanks to user “tecchanhouse” for sharing this dokyu.
Thanks to user “tecchanhouse” for sharing this dokyu.
Thanks to user “tecchanhouse” for sharing this dokyu.