Early morning, farmers and activists marked the 28th year of the Mendiola Massacre by staging a protest outside the residential home of President Benigno Aquino III in Times Street. Photo by Demie Dangla

1-Demi

Farmers urged the Aquino administration to implement genuine land reform in the country. Photo by Demie Dangla

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Farmers affected by “state and corporate land grabbing” joined the protest. The farmers came from contested lands: the 3,000-hectare Araneta Estate in San Jose Del Monte Bulacan; the 2,000-hectare Hacienda Dolores in Porac Pampanga; Hacienda Looc in Nasugbu, Batangas; 39,000-hectare Yulo King Ranch in Coron, Palawan; 3,100-hectare Fort Magsaysay military reservation in Nueva Ecija; and the 6,000-hectare Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac. Photo by Demie Dangla

3-Demi

As a symbolic commemoration of the 13 lives lost during the Mendiola Massacre on January 22, 1987, protesters carried plastic human body sculptures smeared with red ink, to represent blood. Photo by Demie Dangla

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These plastic bodies were laid down along the streets of Mendiola, the same street where lives slain 28 years ago. Photo by Conrad Panelo

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Progressive groups staged a cultural performance depicting the struggle of farmers in the countryside. Farmers and land reform advocates demanded the free distribution of lands for farmers, zero-retention of lands by landlords, and discontinuation of amortizations for land payments. Photo by Conrad Panelo

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An exhibit of artworks depicting Philippine social realities was also set-up for public viewing. Photo by Demie Dangla

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Tess Arjona, wife of Mendiola massacre victim Danilo Arjona, voiced out her grief over her husband’s killing and 28 years that no justice has been served to those killed. Photo by Conrad Panelo

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An estimated 1,300 participants joined the march to Mendiola. Photo by Manila Today

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Genuine land reform, that which prompted the 20,000-strong mobilization that state forces ended with a massacre, remains elusive even after 28 years. Photo by Manila Today

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The cry for justice is for the lives lost that day and for the elusive genuine land reform. Photo by Manila Today

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