The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and other democratic organizations in the Philippines and overseas paid tribute to Dante C. Simbulan, a patriotic soldier of the people and defender of the Philippine revolution. Simbulan passed away on October 12 in Fairfax County, Virginia at the age of 94.

“Our deepest condolences go out to Patti, their children, family, friends and comrades–may you find strength and peace in the legacy that Dante left behind,” the NDFP-International Office said.

Simbulan was born on May 3, 1930 in San Simon, Pampanga. He graduated from the Philippine Military Academy as part of the Class of 1952. He served as a captain in the Philippine Army, and was deployed against the Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan (HMB). His exposure to social injustices and repression of the institution he served awakened his revolutionary consciousness.

As an instructor at the PMA, he invited Jose Maria Sison to give a lecture in 1966 about the mercenary tradition of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He became a teacher to many soldiers who eventually became revolutionaries, including Lt. Crispin Tagamolila and Lt. Victor Corpuz, who both defected from the reactionary state and joined the New People’s Army during the Marcos dictatorship. (Tagamolila died as a Red fighter, while Corpuz returned to the AFP in 1986.)

“Dante took an extraordinary path–from being a distinguished officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to becoming one of the fiercest critics of the very institution he once served,” the NDFP International Office said.

After siding with the Filipino people, Simbulan was imprisoned without charges from 1974 to 1977 in Camp Bonifacio and Camp Crame. He was exiled to the US in 1980 where he continued the struggle. He authored books and helped in organizing fellow Filipinos. He was one of the founders of the Malaya Movement USA, which now has many chapters across the US.

“Through his writings, Simbulan unflinchingly exposed the roots of poverty and inequality, and the corruption of the ruling elite, providing future generations with a wealth of knowledge to continue the struggle for national and social liberation,” the NDFP said.

Because of this, he is recognized by various personalities and organizations as a true patriot, a soldier of the people, and a revolutionary.