Danao, Joice S.

BAPOS 1A (GEC2: REFLECTION PAPER)

It Still Haunts Me
Part of history that never fails to left grievances to the peasants of Mendiola Massacre that until
now, voices still unheard.
Ferdinand Marcos fell from power during the EDSA revolution of 1986, which was under
the administration of Corazon Aquino – who promised to bring back democracy to its people
when this tragic event happened. It was 22 nd of January 1987 when the protesters with over
10,000 farmworkers and allies started a peaceful protest led by the Kilusang Magbubukid sa
Pilipinas (KMP) and it’s national president, Jaime Tadeo to forecast their rights with equal land
distribution for free and decent wages. During the rally, military got an information intelligence
that there are NPA’s among the group of protesters which led to the sudden chaos and violence.
It turned out to be bloody and violent dispersal, leaving 13 deaths and mass of injury.
Mendiola Massacre is of written in history and still haunts justices for the crucial deaths
and unheard voices of the farmers who shouts for landlessness and putting agrarian reform to the
priority of the late administration. No one was punished for the death of the farmers. Survivors
and relatives of the victims did not received any compensation. And what’s most frustrating is
that it happened under the watched of Cory, who can only give the command to the militar to put
it in action. But it turned out that she was shocked and still managed to use her popularity on
politics to cover her unjust ruling. It is the ultimate opposite of what she proclaims democracy. It
doesn’t jive well for what the people fought for.
The tragic event happened when I am naïve and not yet present to the crucial world, but
history tells me the story. “It (the Mendiola Massacre) is a reflection of the callousness of our
hypocritical government towards the plight of its people. Grave injustice has been committed yet
nothing has been done to find the conspirators of this inhuman deed and to make them
accountable for it” said Ramon Hormillo, a photojournalist on the ‘bending-his-arm’ ambush
interview. As Hormillo is a witness who is also part of the press, sacrificed himself to capture
every moment without hesitation for his life. My anger as well as sadness mixed when I watched
the videos taken by him. Chaos were everywhere, gunshots, deads, and the bereaved families
were struggling to call the name of their loved ones. Upon recalling, the victims were sprawled
on the ground with each have brutal deaths. To name some, one of which have headshot whose
brain was scattered on the ground. My sympathy extends to all the farmers who were caught
unaware with just a matter of seconds.
Today, it’s 35th anniversary is knocking again and marks to be one of the tragic events in
the Philippine history. Yes, few are unaware because of the abundant problems we face now. But
as Filipinos, we should inculcate in our minds that their lives is worth fighting for. Farmers until
now struggles for landlessness and aims for the true intentions of the Agrarian Reform. The
ghosts of yesterday haunts us today as their cases still unsolved. Being one of them just by
knowing their story and being one of those who shouts for social justice is a great way to honor
the victims of what we called Mendiola Massacre.

01.17.22
*Sir, okay lang po ba maglagay ng hanging indent sa first line ko?