PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

"Ka Roger" expresses condolences to FPJ family, friends
December 14, 2004

The spokesman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today released the following statement:

Let me express my sincerest sympathies to the family, friends and supporters of Fernando Poe Jr. (Ronald Allan Poe), who passed away earlier this morning.

The Filipino people will always remember FPJ as an actor who chose to depict characters who were poor and downtrodden but dared to defend their rights and fight their oppressors.

In real life, we knew that FPJ was deeply interested and involved himself in matters of social concern. On not a few occasions in the past, he had invited comrades to his home for earnest discussions on the work of the revolutionary movement. On a personal level, he had profound sympathy for the plight of the poor and was always ready to contribute what he could for undertakings that would benefit the worker and peasant masses.

I recall several extended phone conversations that I had with FPJ as a presidential candidate. Then, he expressed great interest in achieving a lasting peace by addressing the roots of the armed conflict in the Philippines.

(sgd) Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal