The revolutionary movement in Camarines Norte and the entire Bicol region paid tribute and honor to Roberto delos Santos (Ka Bogs), who laid his life for the Filipino masses. Delos Santos died in battle between the New People’s Army (NPA)-Camarines Norte (Armando Catapia Command) and the 902nd IBde in Barangay Culasi, Mercedes, Camarines Norte on February 10.

The NPA-Camarines Norte statement compared delos Santos’s life to the weight of the province’s mountains. It said his life is etched in the grieving hearts of the province’s oppressed people, who burn with anger at the fascists and traitors of the revolution.

“The 9th ID’s Maj. Gen. Alwine Almase is mistaken in thinking this would end the New People’s Army and the people’s struggle in the region,” the unit declared. It said the military’s claim that guerrilla fronts in Camarines Norte would collapse with delos Santos’s death is far from the truth.

According to the Communist Party of the Philippines constitution, someone will immediately take over and uphold the tasks of delos Santos as leading cadre in the province and region. NPA commanders in the province are also ready to carry delos Santos’s weapon and continue his work.

The NPA-Camarines Norte said delos Santos’s martyrdom is a slap in the face of the 9th ID officials who had repeatedly tried to force him to surrender by harassing his parents and family. “Instead of surrendering, he remained steadfast with the masses and the revolution, devoting all his skill, strength, and his only life,” the NPA-Camarines Norte said.

The provincial command challenged all revolutionary forces in Camarines Norte and Bicol to use this moment to strengthen their determination to advance. “Let Ka Bogs’s loyalty to the revolution until his last breath serve as inspiration!” the unit declared.