In the morning hours of December 17th it became known that Jose Maria Sison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines, had passed away the day before. Comrade ‘Joma’ passed away after two weeks in hospital, at the age of 83. He belongs to a generation of Maoist revolutionaries – those who were roused to action in the waves of the Cultural Revolution – who are now passing the torch on to a new generation.

Joma founded the Communist Party of the Philippines in 1968, and became the party’s first chairman. The following year, the party declared people’s war against the old Philippine state, which has continued without interruption for over fifty years, and is the Filipino masses’ war against imperialist and feudal oppression.

Joma was arrested by the fascist Marcos regime in 1977, and was imprisoned for almost nine years. Despite torture and isolation, he used his prison time to write books in the service of the Marxist-Leninist movement. After his release from prison, he has lived in exile in the Netherlands and worked as a senior adviser for the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

We see Joma first and foremost as a great Marxist-Leninist-Maoist. His passing is a loss not only to the Filipino people, but to the entire international proletariat.

We will respect and honor our elders in the only way we know how – by carrying on the red flag, by fighting for the cause of all the exploited and oppressed every day, and by building the communist party here where we live.

We send our condolences to our comrades in the Philippines, who have lost a giant and a mentor. We do not doubt for a moment that they will carry on his banner and forge new, capable leaders for the struggle that continues.

Rest in power, Ka Joma!
Red salute to the CPP, NPA and NDFP!
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Revolutionary Communists (RK) of Norway
Dec. 17th 2022