Editing Diliman Commune (section)

==Events==
In January 1971, weekly protests (marked by barricades and rallies) were held by students in response to the rising price of fuel, which was ignored by the [[Philippine government]] during that time. On 1 February 1971, protesting transport workers joined the UPD community at the UPD campus to form a massive barricade that led to the disruption of classes and the entry of government forces in the campus. During that day, mathematics professor Inocentes Campos opened fire to the barricading students after his failed attempt to enter the campus. During the melee, 17-year-old freshman [[Pastor Mesina]] of the SDK was badly hit and died three days later. Campos' car was subsequently burned by the students.

In February 3, then UP president [[Salvador P. Lopez]] talked with the protesting students in a dialogue. According to documented accounts, Lopez attempted to pacify the students, saying, "You better be more resilient! I'm losing my job!” to which the students replied, "You're just thinking about your position… we're losing our lives!” During that day, the dean of the defunct College of Arts and Science Cesar Majul joined the Commune.

In February 4, protesting students from the Institute of Mass Communication (presently the College of Mass Communication) took over the [[DZUP]] and named it as the "''Malayang Radyo ng Diliman''" (Free Radio of Diliman). The radio station reported blow-by-blow updates of the Commune, as well as progressive propaganda. Also during that day, then senator [[Eva Kalaw]] visited the barricade and gave food to the students. However, some radical students reportedly badmouthed her for wearing expensive jewelry and accessories. Mesina, meanwhile, died later that day.

In February 5, the radical students took over the UP Press and published two issues of ''Bandilang Pula'' (Red Banner), a radical publication printed during the Commune. In its first issue, the radicals, through ''Bandilang Pula'', declared the UPD Campus as the "''Malayang Komunidad ng Diliman''" (Democratic Diliman Commune) and named then UPD Student Council chair [[Ericson Baculinao]] as the head of the "provisional directorate" that will oversee the Commune's affairs. The buildings in the campus were also renamed after the names of [[Filipino people|Filipino]] national democratic leaders like [[Jose Maria Sison]] and [[Bernabe Buscayno]].

From February 6 to 9, tension heightened as the [[Philippine Constabulary]] (predecessor of the [[Philippine National Police]]) and the UP Police barged in the campus and arrested a number of students and protesters. The Diliman Commune was neutralized by government forces in February 9.

The Diliman Commune left one student dead while four students, one employee and five security guards were wounded. P94,820 worth of facilities and equipment were reportedly damaged.