Indigenous peoples groups honor the youth martyrs who sacrificed their lives fighting for their people’s rights in ‘Gabi ng Parangal para sa mga Katutubong Bayani’ at Liwasang Diokno, Commission on Human Rights, Nov. 20. 

The commemoration aims to highlight the role of the Indigenous youth as the torch bearers of the indigenous people’s struggle through remembering youth martyr Marxes “Ka Jigs” Samman Dazon who was killed in Ilocos Sur along with five others on August 8, 2020.  

The groups also condemn the killings of the indigenous youth Mangyan-Hanunuo Jay-el Maligday, Lumad-Manobo Kuni Cuba, and Elioterio Ugking under the Marcos Jr. administration. By honoring the fallen heroes, the groups hope to inspire the new generation of indigenous youth to persist in their struggle for justice, freedom, and collective future. 

Text and photos by Shannia Cabuello/Bulatlat