Cordillera Day 2006

Ag-agama, Western Uma, Lubuagan, Kalinga
April 23-24, 2006

“Strengthen inter-tribal unity and peoples’ resistance against destructive mining and political repression! Oppose charter change and oust the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Regime!”

A memorial service was held at Cagaluan en route to the venue in memory of Ama Daniel Ngayaan, CPA vice chairperson at the time of his abduction and murder by elements of the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) in 1987. A marker was constructed at the site of his abduction. To date, his remains have not been retrieved by his family and justice has not yet been served.

Photo Archives
Cordillera Day 2004
Cordillera Day 2005
Lepanto Strike (September 2005)
Buaya, Balbalan, Kalinga Province
Protests Storm GMA Visit in Baguio
MAITUD Launching
Indignation rallies for Pepe Manegdeg and Albert Terredaño
WTO People’s Protest

The Cordillera Peoples Tribunal highlighted the 22nd Cordillera Day, where sectoral and provincial delegates presented evidences of national oppression and state terrorism by the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Regime to Cordillera indigenous peoples. Aside serving as a political statement, the Peoples Tribunal served as an alternative venue for the indigenous peoples' grievances to be heard, and have the accused held accountable. The closing ceremonies inlcuded a tribute to the Cordilliera martyrs and an array of cultural presentations from all delegates. Cordillera Day 2006 opened in an ecumenical mass on April 23.

The Panel of Judges (left) included respected and prominent elders of the Cordillera mass movement, and sectoral representatives. (left) Mother Petra Maclling reads the verdict to the audience (center), where GMA was charged guilty and called on to step down from the presidency. Over 4,000 individuals, including some 70 international delegates from Taiwan, Belgium, Malaysia, Japan, United State, Canada, Australia, Germany and Denmark attended this year's Cordillera Day.

The 22nd Cordillera Day celebrations opened in an ecumenical mass on April 23. The closing ceremonies on April 24 inlcuded a tribute to the Cordilliera martyrs and an array of cultural presentations from all delegates.

Western Uma is one of the 9 barangays comprising Lubuagan municipality and is composed of three sitios, namely: Manlongan, Latawan and Ag-agama. Western Uma is mountainous and generally steep, with an elevation ranging from 300 to 1,000 meters above sea level. The very steep terrain limits lands for agriculture, which is the main source of livelihood of the community. The Uma Tribal Alliance for Peace and Development (UTAPD) hosted this year's Cordillera Day.

Photos: AT Bengwayan/CPA Public Information, Yukino Abe, Gian Malicdem/NMIN