Seven Filipinos who gave their lives for the Gospel, most of them victims of persecution in southern Philippines, have been identified by the Philippine Roman Catholic Church as the nation’s “new martyrs.”

According to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the list has been forwarded to the Vatican’s Commission on New Martyrs–Witnesses of the Faith for inclusion in the Jubilee Year 2025 observance.

“These individuals shed their blood between the year 2000 and the present because of violent opposition to the good brought by the Gospel,” said Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, secretary general of the CBCP, as reported by CBCP News on Monday, Nov. 3.

The CBCP said one of them was Fr. Rhoel Gallardo, a Claretian missionary who was abducted by Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan in 2000, tortured for his faith, and killed after 44 days in captivity.

It added that four others, namely Junrey Barbante, Janine Arenas, Evangeline Aromin, and Riza Daniel, died in the Dec. 3, 2023 explosion at Mindanao State University in Marawi City.

The explosion took place while a Sunday Mass was being held at the university gymnasium, perpetrated by Islamic State–linked militants who aimed their attack at Catholics in the mostly Muslim city.

Meanwhile, Fr. Marcelito “Tito” Paez was killed in Nueva Ecija on Dec. 4, 2017, shortly after he helped facilitate the release of a political prisoner from the provincial jail.

The CBCP described Fr. Paez as a steadfast advocate of human rights, social justice, and the well-being of the poor and marginalized farmers within his diocese.

In Cagayan de Oro, Alberto Pinagawa, a lay leader and Eucharistic minister, was killed on Dec. 24, 2009, for standing against illegal logging and mining activities in Mindanao.

“Pinagawa, a defender of Lumad ancestral lands, had received multiple threats before his murder for protecting forests and indigenous communities from exploitation,” CBCP said.

In 2023, Pope Francis created a special body to investigate the persecution of Christians in modern times and name those he recognizes as the “new martyrs” of this century. 

The Pope directed the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints’ Commission on New Martyrs–Witnesses of the Faith to lead the effort and compile a comprehensive catalogue of Christian witnesses worldwide.

The commission seeks to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for Christ and to draw attention to the enduring reality of martyrdom in the modern world. 

In 2024, Pope Francis likewise encouraged dioceses across the globe to honor their own saints, blesseds, and candidates for beatification every Nov. 9.