MANILA — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has identified seven individuals who have sacrificed their lives in witness to Christ in the 21st century as “new martyrs.”

CBCP Secretary General Msgr. Bernardo Pantin said the names of the 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,” Pantin said in a letter to bishops and archdioceses nationwide.

The Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro identified Alberto Pinagawa, a Eucharistic minister and lay leader, who was gunned down on Dec. 24, 2009. He was a vocal advocate against illegal logging and mining in Gingoog City and Claveria and a protector of the Lumad indigenous peoples’ forests.

From the Diocese of San Jose in Nueva Ecija, Fr. Marcelito Paez, a social justice and human rights advocate, was fatally shot on Dec. 4, 2017, after assisting in the release of political prisoners from the provincial jail.

The Prelature of Marawi recognized Junrey Taub Barbante, Janine Orcia Arenas, Evangeline Salces Aromin, and Riza Ramos Daniel, who died on Dec. 3, 2023, when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated during Holy Mass at the Dimaporo Gymnasium on the Mindanao State University (MSU) campus.

From the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan, Fr. Rhoel Gallardo was abducted, tortured, and killed by Abu Sayyaf extremists on May 3, 2000, along with several teachers and students from Claret School of Tumahubong.

In November 2024, Pope Francis encouraged churches to honor their “saints next door,” those considered “worthy of great honor” for their exemplary Christian witness.

Bishop Renato Mayugba, CBCP-Office for the Postulation of the Causes of Saints (OPCS) Chairman, said the martyrs will be remembered and honored on Nov. 9.

“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.” (PNA)