On the 38th anniversary of the Mendiola Massacre, various people’s organizations led by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) gathered in forum at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani to honor the memory of the farmers slain by state forces in the infamous Mendiola Massacre.

Justice remain elusive for farmers almost four decades after the infamous massacre that killed 13 individuals demanding for genuine agrarian reform and free land distribution. Up until today, farmers are enduring oppression and rights violations in the course of their fight for land, food, and justice. “Nagpapatuloy ang mga isyung ipinaglaban ng mga nagmartsa sa Mendiola. Hanggang ngayon Walang lupa at hustisya ang mga magbubukid,” according to KMP.

Issues of farmers remain. Batangas agricultural workers, sugarcane planters, veggie farmers are protesting for aid and compensation, KMP in Bicol is are launching their regional campaign for compensation for typhoon-stricken farmers. Bulacan farmers slam government inaction on rising prices, cost of living and lack of support services for food producers. Negros farmers deplore peasant killings, militarization, and continuing attacks against progressives, development workers. Tarlac farmers, agri workers oppose massive landgrabbing and LUC of Luisita lands.

The forum also served as a build-up for the broader January 31 Kilos Bayan protest, bringing together representatives from workers, farmers, youth and students and civil society organizations.

During the forum, speakers shed light on the enduring grip of political dynasties that perpetuate landlessness, rural poverty, and inequality in the country. These entrenched families like the Marcoses, Dutertes, Villars, and more, continue to benefit from land-use conversions, land grabbing, and neoliberal policies like the Rice Liberalization Law, which devastate local agriculture and exacerbate poverty among farmers and fisherfolk. The urgent need for genuine land reform was underscored as a critical component of achieving social justice.

“Hindi namin titigilan ang laban para sa lupa, kabuhayan, at karapatan,” said Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chairperson emeritus Rafael Mariano. “Ang alaala ng mga pinaslang sa Mendiola Massacre ay nananatiling inspirasyon sa aming pagkilos para sa lupa at hustisya.”

The forum-activity today serves as a build-up to the broader Kilos na Bayan Protest on January 31 to assail the continuing poverty, corruption and impunity under the Marcos Jr. administration. ###