Miguel Purugganan

Miguel Gatan Purugganan was born in Cabagan, Isabela on November 18, 1931. He prepared for the priesthood first as a high school seminarian in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, then at the University of Santo Tomas, in Manila. He was ordained in 1957. Subsequently, he took a doctorate degree in canon law at the Gregorian University in Rome, attaining summa cum laude. He proceeded to take another doctorate degree, this time in theology, but was unable to complete after being ordered to return to the Philippines.[1]

Purugganan started his priestly career as seminary prefect of discipline. He eventually became bishop’s secretary, assistant parish priest, seminar rector, vicar-general of the diocese of Tuguegarao, auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Nueva Segovia, and finally, in 1974, bishop of the diocese of Ilagan. Aged 39, he was one of the youngest bishops in the country. He held the post until 1999.[1]

As bishop, he became a strong presence in the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). He was chair of its commission on lay apostolate, and a member of its commissions on canon law, and on social action. He was also a member of its Permanent Council.[1]

Purugganan was heavily involved in social action work and defending human rights during the Marcos regime. Popularly called Bishop Mike in his diocese and Apung Mike by his priests, Purugganan was one of seven bishops who denounced martial law and the Marcos dictatorship who became known as the “Magnificent Seven.”[1]

Purugganan opened diocesan programs to respond to the regime’s repressive policies, particularly to help the poor defend themselves against abuses. Among these programs was the Community-Based Health and Development Program (CBHDP). He built up his diocesan staff for social action in the communities. These diocesan workers soon aroused the suspicion of the military, which believed that they were fronting for communist rebels. When some of them were arrested and imprisoned for their work, Purugganan pursued them, confronting officers and demanding their release.[1]

Purugganan provided active support for some 20,0000 peasants in the eastern part of the province who were farming an 11,000 hectare-tract of land spanning two haciendas, which was being claimed by Marcos cronies Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco and Antonio Carag for agribusiness uses. Marcos had sent soldiers to the farmers by terrorizing them, arresting and assaulting their leaders and burning houses. In response, many church people, led by Purugganan himself, gave aid and support to the farmers. Purugganan placed the entire social action network under his office to help the farmers’ struggles. In December 1981, he led over 50 priests, nuns and journalists to visit the haciendas, evading soldiers and private guards who tried to keep them out.[1]

The Marcos government retaliated against Purugganan by placing him and his staff under military surveillance. Days after the Aquino assassination in 1983, soldiers raided his residence in Ilagan and a nearby nuns’ residence in an unsuccessful attempt to find firearms and individuals who were on their “wanted” list. Far from being cowed, Purugganan denounced these raids and continued in his advocacy, even after the collapse of the Marcos regime in 1986.[1]

Purugganan also helped found the Basic Christian Communities – Community Organizing (BCC-CO) program, serving as its chair. It became one of the most effective ways that church people empowered communities by teaching people their rights and interests, urging them to struggle for their demands, and to resist martial law. The BCC-CO encouraged communities to make the regime accountable for its excesses, and often led demands to stop militarization in the countryside.[1]

Purugganan died due to cardiac arrest on July 8, 2011 at the Saint Paul Hospital in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.[3]

In recognition of his efforts, his name is inscribed on the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City, which honors the heroes and martyrs who fought the Marcos dictatorship.[4][5]