Today, 22 January 2021, we remember the tragic event that epitomises the systemic violence against one of the most marginalised but most vital sectors in Philippine society. The events that transpired during the Mendiola Massacre led to the death of 13 farmers with several others wounded and injured, when alleged anti-riot state forces opened fire on a protest rally of some 10,000 peasants. Until now, justice is still nowhere to be found for the victims and their families.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) centres the 34th anniversary commemoration of this merciless incident in demanding for genuine agrarian reform and denouncing the attacks and discrimination against our peasant communities. Filipino farmers are crucial in ensuring food security in the country yet they continuously become victims of land dispossession and unscrupulous landlord-tenant relationship. The biggest contradiction persists as the people who toil the land are the same people who are most likely to experience hunger and food insecurity.
The struggle for land rights and better working conditions have been met with both State and non-State repression that leaves farmers with no other choice but to take their plight on the streets. Unfortunately, these expressions of grievance are not always countered with solutions, but worse, with brutality. How the State crafts policies about agricultural reforms and land use seem to run inconsistent with the best interest of our farmers.
The current pandemic has exposed the cruel state of affairs that our farmers are subjected to. Apart from the common problems such as high cost of inputs, low price of crops, lack of capital, and labour problem among others, there seems to be a slow and insufficient response given to them to cope with the crisis.
The Mendiola Massacre is just one of the many injustices that our farmers have long endured. As the country’s independent national human rights institution, the CHR reiterates its full support to genuine agrarian reform and in protecting the constitutionally-enshrined rights of the people to life, food, and free speech. Cognizant of what transpired on this day in 1987, we echo our call for the need to protect the people’s right to protest and express dissent, as well as to resist any move that would diminish or undermine the people’s enjoyment of their rights.
We remain firm in calling an end to all killings and impunity in the country. CHR shall continue to do its work in furtherance of the protection of the plight of our farmers in steadfast coordination with the government as the primary duty-bearer of our rights.
#ItigilAngPatayan!