Tributes, salutations and recognition poured for the great revolutionary leader and founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), internationalist, patriotic and torch bearer of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism Prof. Jose Maria Sison after he passed away on December 16. He died peacefully, among his family and friends, at UMC Hospital in Utrecht, The Netherlands at 9:40 pm in the Philippines. He was 83. He bereaved his wife and fellow revolutionary Juliet de Lima Sison, their four children, and grandchildren.

Ka Joma died after more than two weeks of hospital confinement. During the few minutes before he breathed his last, Comrade Julie shared that he talked about ensuring the revolution’s victory and advance to socialism. In his last thoughts, he remained optimistic about the Filipino people whom he served with utmost determination.

His remains are currently in Barbara Uitvaartverzorging Utrecht and can be viewed by the public from December 18 to 22. There will be activities in his wake such as poetry reading, film showing, singing Ka Joma’s favorite songs and others. On December 23, a day of honor will be held by international guests, comrades and representatives of political parties and organizations. His remains will be delivered to the Crematorium Daelwijck on December 27th.

In the Philippines, the Party has declared a 10-day mourning starting December 17 and ordered all units of the New People’s Army (NPA) to conduct a silent 21-gun salute as tribute and farewell.

In its tribute, the CPP Second Congress offered the highest recognition and deepest gratitude to Ka Joma for his immense contribution to the Philippine Revolution as the founding chair of the Party, founder of the NPA and pioneer of the People’s Democratic Government in the Philippines.

In Metro Manila, various legal and democratic organizations held a program honoring Ka Joma. They gathered at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman, Quezon City on December 19, from 1 p.m. to midnight, to remember Ka Joma’s life and struggle as a great teacher and beacon to the toiling masses.

The next day at the same venue, more than 500 peace and human rights advocates came together to honor him as a freedom fighter and a proletarian internationalist. National-democratic groups are set to hold, under the leadership of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, a grand tribute program in the next few days.

Recognition, tribute

Many organizations in the Philippines and the different parts of the world have expressed their gratitude, recognition and tribute to Ka Joma for his contribution to their struggles.

Underground and revolutionary organizations allied to the NDFP, such as the Liga ng Agham para sa Bayan (LAB), Christians for National Liberation, Katipunan ng mga Samahang Manggagawa, Makibaka and others honored Ka Joma. NDFP regional chapters and regional Party committees also issued statements.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) extended its condolences to the CPP and its recognition of Ka Joma. It declared, “He has many writings in the ideological field that are very important. We have greatly learned from these.” The Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany (MLPD), and the Communist Party of Turkey-Marxist Leninist (TKP-ML) and its armed forces also extended their respects.

Communist parties, political parties, and oragnizations from Norway, Turkey, Kurdistan, United States, Australia, Romania, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, England, Indonesia, Ireland, China, Palestine, Canada and other countries paid their respects.

The International League of Peoples’ struggle, in behalf of all its member organizations and chapters across the world, which Ka Joma led and established in 2001 also honored to him.

Countless national-democratic organizations have given their tribute to Ka Joma. From chapters of youth organizations, urban poor associations, rural farmers, women, church people, workers and their unions, and several others cry as one: Ka Joma Lives! Long live the memory of Ka Joma!