[1] The declaration of martial law on September 21, 1972, by President Ferdinand Marcos proved to be the dawning of darker days for the country.

Large tracts of sugarcane plantations or haciendas were under the ownership of the elite, the hacienderos, who became extremely rich and powerful.

This triggered protest actions demanding agrarian reform and land distribution, fair wage, and improved government services.

Gustilo reportedly formed a private army which, together with the military, terrorized the island in order to quell the growing dissent against the Marcos dictatorship.

On September 18, 1985, a crowd composed of sugar workers, farmers, fisherfolk, students, urban poor, professionals, and church people staged a noise protest in the town center.

About mid-afternoon, fire trucks arrived and began to bombard the picket line with high-pressure water and tear gas.

When some protestors threw back the tear gas canisters into the empty plaza, the paramilitary forces, who would later allege that a few "trouble-makers" tried to grab their weapons, opened fire into the masses.

[3] After the crowd had dispersed, the site was cordoned off by the paramilitary units and onlookers were ordered to bring the wounded to hospitals in the town.