World · Philippines Bureau
Groups mark 41st anniversary of Escalante Massacre in Negros
Progressive organizations gathered in Bacolod City on Sunday to commemorate the deadly 1985 protest that claimed 20 civilian lives in Escalante, Negros Occidental.
LSN Philippines ·
BACOLOD CITY—Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Negros and the Mothers and Relatives of Victims of Tyranny (Martyrs) led commemorative activities Sunday marking four decades since the Escalante Massacre, one of the deadliest incidents involving civilian casualties during the martial law era.
The 20 people who died were killed on September 20, 1985, when security forces opened fire on protesters in the town of Escalante in Negros Occidental. The incident remains a significant marker in Philippine history of state violence against civilians engaged in peaceful assembly.
The anniversary gathering served as a tribute to those killed and as a platform for advocacy groups to reaffirm their commitment to documenting and remembering incidents of mass violence. Family members and supporters of the victims participated in the commemoration, underscoring the enduring impact the massacre has had on communities in the region.
The Escalante Massacre stands as a stark reminder of the violence that characterized the final years of the martial law period, with the incident continuing to feature prominently in discussions about human rights accountability and historical memory in the Philippines.