COMMEMORATION. The commemoration rites for the 37th year of the Escalante Massacre at the monument in the public plaza of Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday (Sept. 20, 2022). In his message, Vice Mayor Rogelio Prietos continued to call for healing. (Photo courtesy of 79th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army) BACOLOD CITY - The city government of Escalante in Negros Occidental has paid tribute to the farmers who lost their lives during the Escalante Massacre in 1985 in rites held at the public plaza on Tuesday. The commemoration looked back at the event 37 years ago, where 20 people died and several others were injured after they were shot by paramilitary forces during a protest rally held a day before the 13th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. In a statement on Wednesday, Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, commanding officer of the Philippine Army's 79th Infantry Battalion, said that since 2019, the event was commemorated in a new way after the community accepted the ap