From City to Ili: Continuing Solidarity with the Cordillera Peoples

In the Philippines, two Cordillera Days mark the calendar: one, a state-sanctioned bogus celebration on July 15; the other, a commemoration of victories, challenges, and resistance every April 24. These events showcase contrasting perspectives and narratives in the context of the Cordillera peoples’ struggles for their rights and Genuine Regional Autonomy.

Known as the Mount Data Peace Accord, former president Corazon Aquino and the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army signed the July event to achieve peace—yet, it notably disregards the Cordillera peoples' quest for self-determination. In contrast, April's commemoration is deeply entrenched in the legacy of Macliing Dulag, who was killed by the state’s military in 1980 for opposing the Chico River Dam project. What began as Macliing Dulag Memorial Day has evolved into a broader movement, addressing regional issues and honoring the Indigenous Peoples' victories, challenges, and resistance. Marked as the People's Cordillera Day, this annual event echoes the Cordillera peoples' unwavering assertion of their rights to self-determination and ancestral lands.

As the 24th of April 2024 approached, various places in Metro Manila resonated with the spirit of solidarity for the Cordillera peoples. The cityscape became a canvas of protests, tributes, discussions, art exhibits, and performances reflecting the victories and struggles of the Cordillera peoples. Each act, voice, and creative work contributed to a larger call to uphold the Indigenous Peoples’ fundamental rights.

After the series of solidarity events in the Metro, members and allies of progressive organizations traveled for more than 10 hours from the city to the community to be part of the centralized commemoration of the historic 40th Peoples’ Cordillera Day. Following the five-year decentralized celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and state repression, the Cordillera people, advocates, human rights defenders, church sector, environmental defenders, and allies from other countries once again converged and reaffirmed their commitment to courageously advance the Indigenous Peoples’ defense for land, life, and honor. Their energy, enthusiasm, and revolutionary spirit steeped into Sitio Liglig, Barangay Tanglag, Lubuagan, Kalinga—an indigenous community known for its strong opposition to the Chico River Dam in the 1970s.

KATRIBU Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas, a national alliance of the Indigenous Peoples’ groups in the Philippines, participated in the two-day event on April 23 and 24, 2024. Together with Sandugo - Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-determination and Bai Indigenous Women’s Network, KATRIBU vigorously engaged in discussions and workshops highlighting the struggles of the Indigenous Peoples against destructive dams, large-scale mining, and the continuing human rights violations under the imperialist United States (US)-backed regime of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The message of Dr. Chandu Claver, Chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Canada, reverberated among the attendees: "From the deep and truthful analysis of our fears, this is the source of true courage—the courage to continue the aspirations of the people of the Cordillera." Despite the Anti-Terrorism Council’s terrorist designation of Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) leaders Windel Bolinget, Steve Tauli, Sarah Alikes, and Jennifer Awingan, the abduction of Bontoc-Ibaloi-Kankanaey Dexter Capuyan and Indigenous Peoples’ rights advocate Bazoo De Jesus by alleged elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s bombings in parts of Kalinga and other indigenous communities in the country, and the massive destruction of ancestral lands by mining, hydropower, and geothermal corporations, the Indigenous Peoples and their advocates continue to persevere and oppose the government and its forces’ complicity to these human rights violations and plunder of indigenous communities.

Beverly Longid, National Convenor of KATRIBU, reminded everyone especially the youth to strengthen existing progressive formations to carry on the legacies of Macliing Dulag, Pedro Dungoc, Lumbaya Gayudan, and all peoples’ heroes and martyrs and uphold the Indigenous Peoples’ rights to self-determination and ancestral lands. CPA Secretary-General Sarah Dekdeken highlighted the 40th People’s Cordillera Day as a venue for discussing the experiences, lessons, and issues of the Indigenous Peoples and upholding the peoples’ declaration of courageously advancing the Indigenous Peoples’ struggles for the defense of their land, life, and honor. Teddy Casiño, Chairperson of BAYAN, and Nedlloyd Tuguinay, Spokesperson of CPA, challenged the delegates to stand with the Indigenous Peoples amid the ongoing crisis in the country.

From plenary discussions to breakout sessions to early morning interactions to over-coffee conversations, the Peoples’ Cordillera Day as a cultural, educational, political, and solidarity gathering was reiterated between the delegates from Metro Manila, other regions, abroad, and residents of Sitio Liglig.

It is a cultural activity that highlights the similarities, differences, and relations of cultures and defiance from the six provinces of the Cordillera. The continuing efforts to assert the legitimacy of the people-initiated gathering educate the participants about the Cordillera situation and the impacts of the national policies on the region.

Honoring the peoples’ heroes and martyrs and forwarding the aspirations of the Indigenous Peoples amid the attacks by the state are protests. They are testaments of the peoples’ solidarity and commitment to continue their ancestors' legacies and carry on the lessons from the past.

With unwavering resolve and enduring solidarity, KATRIBU and its allies pledge to continue fighting for the rights and welfare of the Indigenous Peoples. KATRIBU’s commitments echo as clearly as the sound of gongs and stand as steadfast as the ancient trees that have witnessed generations of activism. KATRIBU, its members, and its allies from across the country and overseas, commit to uphold the Declaration of Unity Against Imperialist Plunder and State Terrorism Under the US-Marcos Regime.

Marcos Jr., the AFP and PNP, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) continue to neglect the Indigenous Peoples’ interests. Instead of upholding their mandates to protect the rights of the Filipinos, these elements remain the top violators of the Indigenous Peoples’ civil, collective, and political rights.

The government weaponizes laws such as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 to harass and threaten indigenous leaders, human rights defenders, and advocates. While the AFP and PNP continue their impunity and violence against the Indigenous Peoples, the NCIP allows the construction and operation of destructive projects in indigenous communities such as the Gened Dams in Apayao, Saltan Dams in Kalinga, and Benguet Corporation Inc. in Benguet.

Amid the attacks against the Indigenous Peoples and advocates, the people should acknowledge the genuine commemoration of the struggles of the Cordillera peoples. Not all state-permitted ceremonies through laws and policies truthfully represent Filipinos. The distinction between the “Cordillera Day” in July and Peoples’ Cordillera Day in April underscores the differences in state-led versus people-led narratives and the importance of acknowledging the latter for the preservation of the Cordillera’s history and identity.

The People's Cordillera Day every 24th of April is historical and a testament to solidarity, commitment, and resistance. It stands in stark contrast to the "Cordillera Day" celebrated every 15th of July. A single word distinguishes the two. A word that carries the weight of history, the power of unity, and the spirit of defiance for genuine liberation and democracy—“Peoples.”

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