Militants reenact Escalante massacre

ESCALANTE CITY—Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Negros on Wednesday reenacted the Escalante massacre, which left 20 people dead in 1985.

Bambi Yngson, who served as Bayan’s former head marshall, recalled the incident and said they were commemorating the martial law declaration when they were bombarded with tear gas and high-pressure water from a fire truck across the city hall.

Yngson said the shooting started after the second tear gas was thrown at the protesters.

Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said the Escalante massacre is remembered annually to remind everyone that these incidents should not be allowed to happen.

“We should be conscience-stricken. We should be doing something. We are responsible for our fellowman and we are answerable to god,” he said.

The militant group, which convened at the Escalante public plaza, also slammed alleged extra-judicial killings under the Duterte administration. 

Ray Alburo, secretary-general of the Northern Negros Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, said they fear that there might be a second martial law nationwide. 

“We know how the president decides. We fear that there might be a second martial law,” he said.

Meanwhile, Karapatan-Negros is set to conduct an action protest at the Fountain of Justice, Thursday. The Bacolod Diocese will also have a program against martial law.