Queen Min vs Rene Saguisag

During the Imo Incident, a mutiny by Korean soldiers against modernization efforts, Queen Min and King Gojong fled the palace. She later supported the suppression of the rebellion with Chinese military assistance, which reinforced Chinese influence in Korea and weakened the reformist faction.

Japanese agents, along with Korean collaborators, entered the Gyeongbokgung Palace and murdered Queen Min. The assassination was ordered by Miura Goro, the Japanese minister to Korea, due to her efforts to counter Japanese influence and seek Russian support. This event intensified Korean resistance to Japanese imperialism.

Queen Min sought to strengthen ties with the Russian Empire to counterbalance Japan's growing influence in Korea. She encouraged King Gojong to adopt a pro-Russian policy, which led to increased tensions with Japan and ultimately contributed to the decision to assassinate her.

President Corazon Aquino appointed Saguisag as Presidential Assistant on Human Rights. He investigated human rights abuses committed during the Marcos dictatorship, documenting cases of torture, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.

Saguisag was elected as a senator under the Aquino administration's coalition. He served until 1992, focusing on human rights, civil liberties, and anti-corruption legislation. He authored the Philippine Human Rights Act.

Saguisag was one of 12 senators who voted against extending the US Military Bases Agreement. The vote led to the closure of Clark Air Base and Subic Naval Base. He argued that the bases compromised Philippine sovereignty.