Titay Santing, as he was fondly called, dedicated his life to the struggle for indigenous people's rights. In the context of conflict and historical injustices in Mindanao, he was a persistent voice demanding peace and justice for all, particularly the marginalized. He championed, together with his fellow leaders of TJG, the full inclusion of Non-Moro indigenous people's rights in the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
He was one of the guiding lights that paved the way for the consolidation of Loyukan (Teduray term for comrade), a formation of indigenous peoples organizations and IP rights advocates that spearheaded the campaign for the full inclusion of NMIP rights in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Throughout his life, Titay Santing exemplified the core principles and beliefs of the Teduray and Lambangian tribes in pursuit of a more just, inclusive and peaceful world.
In 2018, Focus was fortunate enough to have had Titay Santing speak at the Sombath Symposium on Human Rights and Development held in Bangkok, Thailand. At the symposium, dedicated to the disappeared Lao community development worker Sombath Somphone, Titay Santing shared their tribe's alternative vision of a kind of development that is in harmony with nature and rooted on the recognition of social justice and human rights.
Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and comrades in the continuing struggle for NMIP rights. May his legacy of principled leadership and unwavering defense of social justice and human rights continue to guide a new generation of indigenous leaders on the road to inclusive peace and justice.
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