The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has identified seven individuals, who have sacrificed their lives for the witness of Christ within the 21st century, as “new martyrs.”
CBCP Secretary General Msgr. Bernardo Pantin said the names of seven Filipino “martyrs” from an archdiocese, a diocese and two prelatures, have been submitted to the Commission of the New Martyrs-Witnesses of the Faith in Rome.
“These individuals shed their blood between the year 2000 and the present because of violent opposition to the good brought by the Gospel,” he said in a letter addressed to all bishops and archdioceses in the country.
The Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro identified as one of the martyrs Alberto Pinagawa, a dedicated Eucharistic minister and lay leader. He was gunned down on Dec. 24, 2009 after being a staunch advocate against illegal logging and mining in Gingoog City and Claveria, as well as a leading voice for the Lumad indigenous peoples in protecting their remaining forests.
From the Diocese of San Jose in Nueva Ecija, Fr. Marcelito Paez, a social justice and human rights advocate, died on Dec. 4, 2017. He was fatally shot by motorcycle-riding assailants while driving home after assisting in the release of political prisoners from the Nueva Ecija Provincial Jail.
The Prelature of Marawi also named the following as martyrs: Junrey Taub Barbante, Janine Orcia Arenas, Evangeline Salces Aromin, and Riza Ramos Daniel.
They died on Dec. 3, 2023 after an explosion occurred inside the Dimaporo Gymnasium at the Mindanao State University (MSU) campus in Marawi City, wherein an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated during Holy Mass.
The CBCP also identified Fr. Rhoel Gallardo as a new martyr from the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan. The Catholic priest, together with several teachers and students of Claret School of Tumahubong, was abducted and tortured by Abu Sayyaf extremists and held captive for 44 days in their camp on Mount Punoh Muhadji, before being killed on May 3, 2000.
In November 2024, Pope Francis asked churches to remember and honor their “saints next door” or those they believe as “worthy of great honor” because of their exemplary Christian witnessing.
In a separate letter, CBCP-Office for the Postulation of the Causes of Saints (OPCS) Chairman Bishop Renato Mayugba said they shall be remembered and honored on Nov. 9, in accordance with the call of the late Pope.
“In sharing this vision of the great and holy pope, we may become truly more saintly people,” he said.
“May we aspire for sainthood… May we find joy in our membership in the community of saints,” the bishop added.
