As tribute to the lives offered by the heroes and martyrs of the Filipino people, the weapons and tasks left behind are now firmly in the hands of new cadres, fighters, activists, and masses who advance the cause for national liberation and democracy.

The revolutionary movement recognizes their heroism. On April 17-24, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) observes the Week of Remembrance and Tribute to the Heroes and Martyrs of the Filipino People.

Over the past year, scores of Party cadres and New People’s Army (NPA) Red fighters and commanders have fallen in battle against the fascist-terrorist Marcos regime. Some comrades also died of illness or in prison. They faithfully served the people until their final breath.

Exemplary leaders and commanders

Comrade Luis Jalandoni (Ka Louie) died at the age of 90 on June 7, 2025 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. His contributions to strengthening the Party and the NDFP and advancing the revolutionary armed struggle will never be forgotten. As former NDFP chief negotiator and representative, he was recognized as an unwavering champion of peace, internationalism, and revolution.

Patricia Corazon Casambre (Ka Alice), 79, is also remembered for her contributions. For many years, she gave valuable contributions and led in various fields of struggle. She worked in organizing, education, translation, and the publication of works under Aklat ng Bayan, and helped in the NDFP’s peace negotiations.

The martyrdom of Roberto Moises Cabales (Ka William) of Panay and Reynalde Erecre (Ka Amek) of Negros Island left a huge gap in the Visayas. Both were leading Party leaders and cadres and commanders of the NPA in their regions.

Urban poor, workers, Lumad, Moro, and peasant masses in Mindanao countrysides will never forget Anthony Narvasa (Ka Magaw). He was an organizer and Red fighter in Northern, Southern, and Far South Mindanao, where he served as a leading Party committee cadre.

The name Roberto delos Santos (Kasamang Bogs/Ino) is etched in the hearts of Bicol peasants and fisherfolk as their leader and fighter. He long served the masses in Sorsogon and more recently in Camarines Norte.

Red commander Jordan Mocon (Kasamang Sy) fell as a martyr in Southern Tagalog. Mocon was NPA-Rizal (Narciso Antazo Aramil Command) commander and also an NPA member in Southern Tagalog (Melito Glor Command).

Heroes of the people and national minorities

From the Butbut tribe of Kalinga, Victor Daligdig (Ka Changli) dedicated nearly 20 years of his life to serving fellow Igorots and the Cordillera masses as an NPA-Kalinga (Lejo Cawilan Command) Red fighter. He was before this a member and organizer of Kabataang Makabayan-Demokratiko nga Alyansa ti Agtutubo iti Kordilyera under the Cordillera People’s Democratic Front.

Oma Dag-od (Ka Nixao) was an excellent leader of the indigenous Mangyan-Buhid and an NPA commander in Mindoro (Lucio de Guzman Command). It was in the movement where he learned to write, tell stories, and read with other Buhid. He was a brave and daring Red commander who never backed down from work in recovery, reactivation, and expansion.

Rosa Kian (Ka Roxanne) of the Dulangan Manobo minority joined the NPA after having been forged in the struggles in the Daguma mountains. She took part in the Lumad struggles to drive away destructive mining, logging, and energy corporations that took their ancestral land. On becoming a Red fighter, she struck down the two pillars of oppression—patriarchy and national oppression.

Sacrifice of elders and youth

The determination to offer one’s life for the Filipino masses knows no age. Veteran and young Red fighters alike have given their lives for the masses in the past years.

Red fighter couple Pedro Gemodo, 61, and Juliana Arculo Gemodo, 63, sacrificed their lives in Negros Oriental for the Negrosanon people. For two decades, the Gemodos served as members of peasant organizations in Guihulngan City until 2010, when they joined the NPA because of military pressure and threats to their lives.

Three young Red fighters in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental fell as martyrs: Ritchell Verano (Ka Makoy), 26, Milky Sampini (Ka Gorting), 29, and Joedil (Ka Junjun), 21. With others of the Tapi 7, former student leader and Red fighter Dee Supelanas (Ka Dahlia) also became a martyr. Brief though their time in revolutionary struggle, their contributions to revolutionary work on the island are beyond measure.

Young 18-year-old woman Jennifer Paclita (Ka Jenny) personified steadfastness in Samar. Responding to relatives who urged her to surrender, she patiently explained to them the need to wage armed struggle.

The martyrs of the Filipino people are indestructible monuments of the national democratic revolution. They exemplify the invaluable resolve to struggle side by side with the Filipino masses against imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat capitalism.

No tribute is greater than to continue treading the protracted and arduous road toward final victory. Imbued with their revolutionary spirit, persevere in advancing the democratic people’s revolution to create a bright future.