Written By: Clarisse P. Marquez and Ella Marie M. Mercado
Back in 2016, even before the election of another Marcos into the presidency, speculations arose as to whether Marcos Jr. would follow the strongman figure of his father. However, three years into his term and that’s not the case. Before the Mendiola gate is occasionally closed off for Malacañang parties and events, it was a site that hosted violent protests and rallies.
The first quarter of 1970 was marked with intense civil unrest and political turmoil which shook the nation to its core. It was a time of terror and wrath, after Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was again elected for his second term in 1969.
As journalist and activist Pete Lacaba described in his book, these were “days of disquiet, nights of rage.”
The Battle of Mendiola
After Marcos Sr. delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 1970, approximately 10,000 students flocked before the old Congress of the Philippines building in Manila to voice out their frustrations against the Marcos Regime.
Protestors fought the armed forces and defended themselves with sticks and pillboxes. A violent dispersal took place—molotov cocktails and gunshots erupted in the streets of Mendiola which killed four students, including a Bedan activist named Felicisimo Roldan.
The Battle of Mendiola, as it was known, is considered the most violent night in the city’s post-war history. According to Juan Ponce Enrile, then Justice Secretary and Defense Minister, Marcos Sr. was even close to declaring martial law that night but was prevented until 1972. Ultimately, Marcos saw the violent protests as an opportunity to justify his move towards the declaration of martial law and dictatorship.
The Rise of Student Resistance
Former COMELEC Commissioner Rene V. Sarmiento, in an interview with thebarrister, recalls that even before the declaration, many joined rallies and protests along Mendiola.
“There was vibrancy in San Beda […] Kaya lang after the proclamation of martial law, nawala. […] Pero ‘di ibig sabihin there was total silence among Bedans na nag-underground,” he added.
Those were the days when the height of student activism peaked, and where Commissioner Sarmiento himself was involved.
Jun “Ishmael” Quimpo was exposed early to student demonstrations, but It was through his guitar and his songs that he expressed his views and dreams, inspiring people and making them feel strong. Ishmael, along with his five brothers who all went to San Beda College, were young students who were tortured and mostly spent their time behind political bars as detainees.
Some of them also formed or joined organizations to advance their causes.
Pursuant to their faith and belief in upholding social justice, the Christians for National Liberation was formed by Fr. Dave Albano and Dom Carlos “Caloy” Tayag. Fr. Caloy also helped organize Kilusang Kristiyano ng Kabataang Pilipino in San Beda where several students were members.
During this time, then senator Jose Diokno formed the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) to provide legal assistance to those detained, arrested, and tortured, including farmers, workers, etc. FLAG then inspired the formation of Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism (MABINI), where prominent Bedans such as then-senator Rene Saguisag, Bobbit Sanchez, and Commissioner Sarmiento, who were all part of the founding committee.
Despite the disappearances and killings which crippled most people in fear, Bedans stood firm and remained true to their faith.
“I think it was belief in the principles and in the cause that motivated (us) to join protest movements… It was because of my readings, my friendship with Bedans, and of my Christian faith,” Sarmiento said.
THE BARRISTER 