LINO BROCKA'S "ORAPRONOBIS" LASER DISC

Produced during the Aquino administration, Lino Brocka's Orapronobis was banned for commercial exhibition because of its anti-militarization theme, but was previewed at the UP Film Center. Manuel Morato, then chairman of Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), banned the release of this film due to the harsh violence that was portrayed and the explicit message expressed by the director regarding the sensitive issues of the film. Several institutions, especially the military and the government, were targeted by the theme of the movie. (source: wikipilipinas)

The movie never came out in original home video, whether in beta or VHS format. However, it was released in Laser Disc format in the early 90s under the title "Fight for Us."

Product Description: The place: the Philippines. The time: the uncertain aftermath of a bloody revolution to overthrow a corrupt dictatorship. But now the shattered nation faces a new, more insidious threat: the ruthless death squads of the Orapronobis - a violent and depraved cult of political vigilantes bent on total control of the country. Emerging from prison to challenge this new order is Jimmy Cordero, a priest and social activist jailed under the old regime. Soon, Cordero is caught up in a web of political treachery, barbaric torture and inhuman brutality that leaves his young son murdered and mutilated his lover, raped and left for dead. In the tradition of such political thrillers as "Missing," “Under Fire," and “Salvador” and based on true incidents, “Fight For Us" is a dramatic ride into explosive political turmoil and heart-stopping heroism.

In 1985, in the remote town of Dolores, the Orapronobis, a group of anti-communist vigilantes under the leadership of Kumander Kontra (Bembol Roco), executed a foreign priest who gave the last rites to an alleged rebel, who was also killed by the same group. At the success of the 1986 EDSA revolt, political detainees, led by Jimmy Cordero (Philip Salvador), celebrate the fall of the dictatorship. All political prisoners were released, including Jimmy, an ex-priest-turned-underground revolutionary. Not long after, Jimmy married a human rights activist, Trixie (Dina Bonnevie). He became an advocate of human rights. Despite Trixie’s protests, Jimmy and Trixie’s brother, Roland (William Lorenzo) went with a fact-finding mission to Dolores to investigate the latest crime committed by the Orapronobis. Jimmy met Esper (Gina Alajar), his ex-girlfriend. He found out that he had a son with her, Camilo (RR Herrera). They agreed to keep Jimmy’s true identity a secret from the boy. Conniving with the military, the Orapronobis step up their acts of terrorism.

Jimmy’s group was forced to evacuate the townspeople to the town church, then later to Manila. Back in Manila, Jimmy turned down a friend’s invitation to rejoin the underground movement. Later, he and Roland were ambushed. Jimmy survived, but not Roland. He recovered and shortly after that, Trixie gave birth to their child. Soldiers raided the refugee center with a masked man who identified several of the barrio folk as rebels. The refugees and the human rights activists complained to the government. Esper and her son were abducted by the Orapronobis who accused Esper of helping the rebels. She was raped and beaten up by Kumander Kontra in front of Camilo. Fighting back, she shot at Kontra. In a hysterical rage, Kontra went on a shooting rampage, killing Esper, Camilo and the captured barrio men. Later, the military brought the casualties to the town plaza where Jimmy wept over the bodies of Esper and his son. The film ends with Jimmy contacting his old colleague from the underground. (Source: IMDB)