Farmers to mark 21st anniversary of Mendiola massacre

Some 50 farmers from Southern Luzon will mark the 21ist anniversary of the Mendiola massacre through a six-day march that will end on the said short thoroughfare in San Miguel district in Manila, near Malacañang. Radio dzBB on Sunday reported that farmers plan to start their march on January 16 and cap it off at Mendiola on January 22. On Jan. 22, 1987, 13 farmers were killed after police fired on a protest rally of about 10,000 peasants demanding genuine land reform from then President Corazon Aquino. The peasant group Katipunan ng mga Samahang Mambubukid sa Timog Katagalugan said it would have farmers, fishermen and other personalities from allied groups join them in their march this week. Government forces are expected to secure Mendiola after Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez claimed that a destabilization plot was being hatched for January 22. Gonzalez on Saturday claimed that the Jan. 22 “destabilization" was the reason for his issuance of a “reminder" to media outfits to toe the government line during operations by authorities. He also warned “destabilizers" not to underestimate the government’s staying power. It was not immediately clear if Gonzalez was referring to the planned farmers' march when he made his claim of a destabilization attempt on Jan. 22. - GMANews.TV