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The 22nd Cordillera Day

BAGUIO CITY (Apr. 17) — The commemoration of the Cordillera Day is an event that has become the biggest annual political solidarity gathering of indigenous peoples (IPs) not only in the Cordillera Region but also worldwide.

From a Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) statement, this day is traced back to the eve of April 24, 1980 when soldiers belonging to the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division under Lt. Leodegario Adalem in stealth entered the village of Bugnay, Tinglayan, Kalinga and fired at two houses.

The attack meant to kill two staunch and respected leaders of the Kalinga and Bontoc peoples opposed to the World Bank-funded Chico River Basin Hydroelectic Dam Project of then dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

They were Ama Macliing Dulag, a respected pangat (tribal chieftain) of the Butbut tribe and Pedro Dungoc. Dulag died from multiple gunshots while Dungoc, though wounded, survived. Dungoc joined the New Peoples Army (NPA) and years later died a red fighter.

In the same statement, Dulag’s assassination is said to strengthen the determination of the Kalinga and Bontoc tribal people to defend their collective right over their land and resources against common enemies – the Marcos dictatorship and the World Bank– funded Chico Dam. Furtheremore, the statement said that the commemoration of Dulag’s death from 1981 to 1984 was called Macliing Memorial.

However, with the broadening of the Cordillera mass movement encompassing all the provinces and broadening issues of Cordillera, the commemoration was called Cordillera Day in 1985. This also symbolizes the widening unity and solidarity among the Cordillera’s different IPs, advocates and support groups. Among the Cordillera groups are their friends and advocate groups from the barangay level to the international groups and conventions.

In June 1984, upon the invitation of the Kalinga–Bontoc Peace Pact Holder, people’s organizations in the Cordillera had the Cordillera People’s Congress in Bontoc, Mountain Province. Then CPA was formed, with one of its first tasks to lead in the annual celebration of Cordillera Day on the death anniversary of Macliing Dulag on the 24th of April, to remember the resolve and unity of the Cordillera peoples to resist forms of development aggression in the Cordillera. The first Cordillera Day celebration was held in Sadanga, Mountain Province.

Since then, Cordillera Day was held in different towns of the region yearly. Cordillera Day focuses on burning issues of the day gave focus to these peoples meetings resulting in collective resolutions to guide the alliance’s programs through each year.

According to CPA Secretary-general Windel Bolinget, the general program is usually a two-day celebration that includes workshops on major issues affecting IPs; presentations on the regional and national situation and challenges; sharing experiences and lessons from struggles defending IP rights and various cultural presentations on sectoral and community issues; commemoration of Cordillera martyrs; mass dancing; playing of gongs and community chanting. The festive atmosphere of each celebration remains political yet colorful and inspiring.

Bolinget said the Cordillera Day is a political statement on present realities by the militant Cordillera peoples movement. It carries the advances of the mass movement for self-determination, national democracy, and solidarity across regional, national and international levels.

“The celebration of Cordillera Day has also expanded overseas. For several years, Cordillera Day has been celebrated in Hong Kong, Belgium, and Macau. These were being organized by Cordillera migrants and workers together with international solidarity partners,” Bolinget added.

The Cordillera Day and CPA’s continuing campaign and struggles are expected to perpetuate until the people’s aspirations become real, Bolinget said. # Marie Conie Duerme/MMSU intern for NORDIS

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