The League of Filipino Students offers the highest tribute to Prof. Jose Maria Sison, a Filipino patriot, revolutionary, poet, anti-imperialist, and lifelong servant of the people. We join the millions of Filipinos in their revolutionary grief over the passing of one of the greatest Filipinos of the past century.

Ka Joma was a key figure in the resurgence of the progressive youth and student movement in the Philippines. In 1959, he founded the Student Cultural Association of the Philippines (SCAUP), an organization dedicated to exposing and uprooting the roots of poverty in the country. He led thousands of students in demonstrations fighting for the rights of students, workers, and farmers.

He founded the Kabataang Makabayan in 1964 and led it in its rapid nationwide expansion. KM would eventually spearhead numerous anti-Marcos protests until the declaration of martial law. As KM chair, Ka Joma was at the forefront of a new propaganda movement aimed at critiquing the rotten core of our society. Ka Joma’s exposition of the semi-feudal and semi-colonial character of the Philippines are crucial references of the Philippine youth and student movement to this day.

In the 1970s, Ka Joma served at the forefront of the resistance against the despotic reign of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., both in legal and underground means. He was imprisoned by the dictator in 1977. He spent the better part of 9 years in solitary confinement until he was finally reluctantly released by the Aquino administration.

After release, Ka Joma was forced into exile by Cory. He sought political asylum in the Netherlands, which served as his residence until his death.

Even during exile, Ka Joma served as a guiding light for Filipinos all over the world as an internationalist. He contributed greatly to the anti-imperialist struggle through his incisive critique of the world imperialist system, particularly on the neocolonial character of the Philippines under US imperialism.

Despite the barrage of terrorist-tagging black propaganda from the state, Ka Joma will forever be remembered by the Filipino people as a hero who offered his life in service of the people. He is immortalized in our raised fists, marching banners, and calls for genuine independence and democracy.

Original post from: League of Filipino Students Facebook Page