Philippine Soldiers Kill 20 at Anti-Martial Law Rally

Soldiers shot and killed at least 20 protesters at an anti-government rally today as leftist groups staged strikes throughout the Philippines to mark the 13th anniversary of the imposition of martial law.

President Ferdinand E. Marcos imposed martial law on Sept. 21, 1972, citing attempts to overthrow his government. He lifted the order Jan. 17, 1981, but retained sweeping powers.

Sept. 21 is officially celebrated as Thanksgiving Day, but leftist groups and other government opponents staged strikes in key cities a day early today, barricading highways and shutting down businesses to mark the anniversary.

The armed forces were placed on their highest state of alert as the protesters, organized by an alliance of nationalist and leftist groups, said they would continue the demonstrations in key cities Saturday.

On the sugar-growing island of Negros, troops opened fire on a crowd of about 2,000 protesters in Escalante, killing at least 20 people and wounding 13 others, military officials and local residents said.

The shooting was the worst in the Philippines since Sept. 21, 1983, when 11 martial law protesters died in rioting near Marcos’ palace in Manila.

Military officials said the shooting broke out after authorities tried to disperse the protesters with water cannons and tear gas. The officials said the troops opened fire on the demonstrators after hearing a shot.

Capt. Fortunato Serafin, a military spokesman, said 14 victims, including two women, died instantly after they were shot in the face with automatic rifles.

Bishop Antonio Fortich of Negros said he was told that six of the wounded had died later in hospitals and added that he expected the death toll to rise.

“Definitely, it’s a massacre,” Fortich said after returning from Escalante.

In Cebu, the Philippines’ third-largest city, riot police used water cannon and truncheons to disperse about 300 protesters at one of four highways leading into the city. The road was blocked by demonstrators, boulders and spikes.