Ka Gemma (Susan Ritual) dedicated more than two decades of her life to serving her fellow Dumagat indigenous people and toiling masses in the countryside as a New People’s Army (NPA) Red fighter and commander, and Party member. Ka Gemma was martyred in Barangay Bacong Sigsigan, Famy, Laguna on November 28 while carrying out revolutionary work.
She was born on October 13, 1984, in Barangay Dimanayat, San Luis, Aurora, to a poor indigenous Dumagat peasant family. Hardships prevented her from getting an education. To help her family, she moved to the city at the age of 13 to work as a househelper.
In 2002, women Red fighters in her area, whom Ka Gemma knew, convinced her to join the people’s army unit. “She faced a crisis during her first year, but this did not deter her from continuing to struggle. Ka Gemma carried on despite the challenges,” the NPA-Laguna tribute stated.
Over 22 years, she took various tasks as a platoon medic, squad leader, and deputy platoon leader in a large company unit, as well as a political guide and instructor. She carried out these responsibilities with determination.
The unit also noted that even amid personal crises and the birth of her child, Ka Gemma fully embraced these tasks. She showed her comrades motherly care, a care she deeply wished to show her own child, but instead poured into each of her comrades and the masses she served.
The military’s killing of Ka Gemma deeply grieved her comrades and family. This was further magnified when soldiers and police’s deliberately delayed and prevented the Ritual family from immediately retrieving Ka Gemma’s remains for them to hold a wake. For almost a week, her remains were kept at a funeral home, as fascist soldiers harassed the family.
“Ka Gemma’s martyrdom does not mean the end of her noble aspirations, as the reactionary AFP-PNP and the US-Marcos II regime would like to project,” NPA-Laguna stated. They added that Ka Gemma also belies the “insurgency-free” declaration in some towns in Laguna, such as Famy and Santa Maria. Instead, the masses in these areas continue to support their army.
Indigenous Martyrs
In November, the Filipino people honored the national minorities who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for self-determination and national-democratic aspirations of the people. This is part of the annual celebration of Indigenous People’s Heroes Day on November 10.
National minorities look up to figures like Macli-ing Dulag, who led the fight against the Chico River Dam Project during the Marcos dictatorship; Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay, the first woman datu of the Manobo who led their decades-long defense of the Pantaron Mountain Range; Roy Giganto, a Tumandok leader who stood against the Jalaur Megadam in Panay Island; and many other leaders in the struggle of indigenous peoples.
Many indigenous people also decided to take up arms and join the NPA to defend their ancestral lands and rights. Among them are Chadli Molintas of the Cordillera; Divine Zureta, an indigenous Manide from Camarines Norte; and Lumad leaders Aprecia Alvarez Rosete (Ka Lalay), Beverly Sinunta (Ka Ayang), Kaerlan Fanagel, and others who gave their lives for the people’s war.
We must also recognize individuals who have dedicated their time to serve indigenous communities in the Philippines. Many should emulate the example of Fr. Fausto Tenorio or Father Pops in Lumad and Moro communities he served; Chad Booc who volunteered as a teacher for the Lumad in Mindanao; Party cadres, and Red fighters and commanders like Jorge Madlos (Ka Oris), Julius Giron, Menandro Villanueva (Ka Bok), Dionisio Micabalo (Ka Toto), Antonio Cabantan (Ka Manlimbasog), and hundreds of others like them.
