Diokno would be disappointed , however , by the Mendiola massacre of January 22 , 1987 , where 15 farmers staging a peaceful rally in Mendiola were gunned down by the military under Aquino . Diokno resigned from his two government posts in deep disgust and great sadness . His daughter Maris noted that " It was the only time we saw him near tears . " In 1984 , even before People Power , Diokno had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer . He had smoked all his adult life . Diokno continued to work , despite his illness , until his death on Feb. 27 , 1987 — one day after his 65th birthday
Mendiola massacre
Mendiola massacre
Jose Diokno