BONTOC, Mountain Province — The Office of the Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) held Mountain Province’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration on Oct. 2 at the Mountain Province District Jail, with political prisoners and other persons deprived of liberty joining the cultural activities.

Nine political prisoners are currently detained at the district jail, according to human rights advocates. They are Indigenous Peoples from various tribes in Mountain Province, Kalinga and Abra.

The detainees took part in the celebration wearing traditional Indigenous attire and performing songs and chants accompanied by theatrical movements.

Organizers and human rights advocates said the performances highlighted issues affecting Indigenous Peoples, including the protection of ancestral lands from development projects and the assertion of Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination through regional autonomy.

The celebration was led by Provincial IPMR Tomas Tawagen and attended by Vice Gov. Jose Dominguez; representatives of the offices of Rep. Max Dalog Jr. and Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr.; members of the Mountain Province Provincial Board; barangay IPMRs from Bontoc; representatives of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples provincial office; and human rights advocates.

Human rights advocates said the nine political prisoners have been detained for several years, with some awaiting decisions on their cases for more than a year. They described the charges against the detainees as politically motivated.

Families of the detainees and human rights advocates have called for the speedy resolution of the cases and the release of those they identify as political prisoners. They also appealed for public support for the detainees’ basic needs, including food, medicines, visitation and legal assistance.

The celebration coincided with a special non-working day declared in Mountain Province for Indigenous Peoples’ Day under Presidential Proclamation No. 1463, signed by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Sept. 28, 2026.

The families and advocates also called for the resumption of peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, saying the talks could help address the roots of the armed conflict.

📸 Cordillera Peoples Alliance via Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas