A mini “Lakbayan” kicked off in northern Negros yesterday to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Escalante massacre that left 21 dead and scores injured in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
The commemoration of the infamous Escalante Massacre that left 21 dead and scores injured 33 years ago kicked off with a mini “Lakbayan” from Sagay City and Toboso in northern Negros Occidental yesterday.
About 1,300 marchers are expected to reach the site of the massacre at the Escalante Public Plaza at dawn today, Mike Dela Concepcion, Bayan Negros secretary general, said.
San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said as we mark the anniversary of the Escalante Massacre, it is good to remember that it happened during a protest-rally on the 13th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.
On Sept. 20, 1985 para-military forces gunned down defenseless civilians holding the protest-rally at the Escalante Public Plaza, he said, in stressing that he is joining those who are opposing ongoing human rights violations, historical revisionism and the return of another dictator.
“After 33 years many of the victims of human rights violations under Martial Law are still denied justice.I join them in declaring Never Again to Martial Law”, Alminaza said.
Dela Concepcion said “commemorating the Escalante Massacre nowadays is a reminder that genuine change has remained elusive. Thus, the struggle must continue.”
The Lakbayan marchers are calling for genuine land reform, the junking of the TRAIN Law, wage increases and peace based on social justice, he said.
Dela Concepcion said the participants of this year’s march are from various progressive organizations and alliances, led by Bayan-Negros, National Federation of Sugar Workers, Negros Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, which include families and survivors of the Escalante Massacre.
A reenactment of the massacre will be held at the Escalante City public plaza 1 p.m. today, he said.
Meanwhile, Alminaza said he in solidarity with those who will join the United People’s Action Against Dictatorship at Luneta Park at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow after the 2:30 p.m. Mass for Dignity and Peace at the San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila and other mass actions in many other parts of the country.
“Our prophetic voice, as the people of God, against the current situation reminiscent of that dark past is balanced with the hopeful celebration of the International Day of Peace,” he said.
“Let us celebrate the gift of life as we uphold its dignity and resist the creeping dictatorship. Our collective action to pursue these aspirations will be the salt and light of our time,” he said.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/September/20/topstory3.htm
This is Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) front group-sponsored protest activity. The "Escalante Massacre" is one of a number of alleged government human rights abuses that CPP front groups protest on an annual basis.
ReplyDeleteThe Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-New Patriotic Alliance)-Negros, National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), and the Negros Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (NAHRA) are all CPP front organizations.