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Remembering martyrs

I was supposed to write another topic for my column. But several developments made me change my mind. So I set aside these topics for the future.

I chose to write about two peoples’ martyrs, who both died in the month of February. I consider them martyrs, as they died serving the people in their own way.

The first martyr is Christopher Batan, a dear friend. We were both student activists during our college days in BCF, now the University of the Cordilleras.

I remember him, as February 23 was his 12th death anniversary. He was killed at a young age on February 23, 1993 by members of the CAFGU. He, together with Fr. Eduardo Solang and Mila Fanaang, were on their way to Betwagan, Sadanga, Mt. Province to document human rights violations committed during the Marcos period.

After crossing the river to Betwagan, Agustin Agpawan, Bonifacio Chumacog and three other CAFGUs fired at them. They hit Chris. He was immediately downed. But they came nearer and shot him at close range to ensure his death. The Baguio RTC which penned the decision described the murder. One year after, Agpawan was arrested until his conviction. 10 years after, Bonifacio Chumacog was arrested too. The three CAFGUs are still there in Betwagan free from the “long arm of the law”, if not supported by those in power.

What hurts is the move led by the present governor of Mt. Province requesting Pres. Gloria Arroyo to grant executive clemency to Agpawan. Mt. Province politicians seem to favor the early release of this killer, whose gun snuffed out a young life. A gun issued by the government. I join his brother Cirilo in his opposition to clemency for Agpawan. Twelve years is too short for the leader of that murderous act where treachery was employed to ensure the killing.

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Earlier on Feb. 22, another people’s martyr died. Lakay Alipio Alibcang Paciteng is a recognized elder of Bulalacao, Mankayan. He was 74.

Despite his age, he was consistent in his position against the expansion of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation (LCMC). He was a fighter for his principles. He was among the elders in that area who was not co-opted by corporate interests. I remember him in one of the consultation at the town’s Municipal Hall. He raised a point against the company’s expansion project. I remember him leading a barricade against LCMC’s drilling in their area. He raised the villagers’ point that the drilling will dry up their water sources.

Like other elders in indigenous communities, he took the cudgel for the villagers’ interests. And he earned a price for that - three cases filed by the company against him. But this did not stop him from pursuing the community’s cause. It instead strengthened his conviction that what he was doing was right. He did it until his last breath. He was a leader of the mining-affected areas of Mankayan (Benguet), Quirino (Ilocos Sur), Tadian (Mt. Province), and Cervantes (Ilocos Sur) under the alliance called MAQUITACDEG.

Lakay Paciteng is unquestionably a people’s martyr. To his family, friends, members and leaders of his organizations, let his principles remain in us and serve as a challenge to pursue these. And our CONDOLENCES to his family, too. #

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