The Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA)-Negros pays tribute to Emarie “Ka Jandy” Pastidio who gave her life for the struggle for justice and social liberation. Her life as a woman revolutionary gives inspiration to us all and nurtures our determination to carry forward the people’s democratic revolution. Ka Jandy was martyred, together with Joshua ‘Ka Jorge’ Sultan, while facing enemy troops in Sitio Mansulao, Barangay Pinapugasan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental on February 21, 2024.

MAKIBAKA-Negros grieves with the families and friends of Ka Jandy and Ka Jorge, most of all, Ka Peeta, Ka Jandy’s husband and comrade-in-arms, and Baby Marx Cairo, her son, and the revolutionary forces and masses of Northern Negros.

We demand justice, as well, for Tatay Jose Caramihan, an ordinary farmer who was planting rice during the armed encounter. He suffered the brutality of the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (79IBPA) when he was butchered and presented afterwards by the military as a casualty of the New People’s Army (NPA), along with Ka Jandy and Ka Jorge.

Revolutionary women in Negros would like to highlight Ka Jandy’s life that was full of struggles for a young woman. She did not just suffer under a fascist patriarchal system, but up to her death, she is being exploited by the Philippine Army for monetary rewards, promotion and empty accolades.

Ka Jandy was captured twice and experienced all sorts of torture at the hands of the fascist military.

In 2018, Ka Jandy was organizing a cultural group in the hinterlands of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental when 79th IB soldiers raided the house where she was resting in with her fellow organizer. Both of them were dragged out and made to drop face down on an anthill before bringing them to the 79th IBPA Headquarters, where they experienced more mental torture during interrogation. Both Ka Jandy and her companion were eventually freed after public pressure.

Her experience under illegal detention and torture by the reactionary state was the turning point for Ka Jandy. From a cultural youth group organizer, she became a young woman fighter of the NPA. As a Red fighter, she contributed much and more to the armed struggle to the best of her abilities. Her comrades in the NPA unit she belonged to acknowledged her great contribution in guerrilla zone expansion work.

On January 13, 2021, in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, while Ka Jandy was on maternity leave, she again suffered at the hands of the 79th IB for a second time. She evaded a raid by armed soldiers of the 79th IB on the house where she was recovering and taking care of 2-month old Baby Marx Cairo Salino, but she was eventually captured. She experienced torture, specifically cigarette burns all over her body, and was repeatedly raped by 79th IB soldiers. For days, she was fighting for her life, determined to see her baby again.

On the 10th day of her incarceration, Ka Jandy was able to escape the enemy camp and was rescued by her comrades. However, Baby Marx, whom she left with a family for his welfare, was reported as a ‘recovery’ by the raiding enemy troops and remains a hostage of the Philippine government to lure his parents into capitulation.

Until now, after three years, despite numerous efforts, Baby Marx’ grandparents strive to bring him home but they are facing bureaucratic hindrances put in place by the reactionary government’s NTF-Elcac. They are also being targeted by fascist reactionary state forces to pressure their son, Baby Marx’s father, to surrender. Ultimately, Ka Jandy died without seeing her baby boy again.

Even after her death, the fascist Philippine Army is maligning Ka Jandy’s life and legacy in their black propaganda. They spread lies and intrigues to tarnish the memory of Ka Jandy and the revolution she stood for. Yet, they will of course fail.

On International Women’s Day this March 8, let Ka Jandy’s story of a revolutionary woman and mother advancing the liberation of women in this macho society and struggling to end of all forms of abuse generated by the ruling system, spur a new wave of women to participate in the revolutionary armed movement.
The MAKIBAKA-Negros also continues to demand the immediate and safe return of Baby Marx to his family. We vehemently condemn the reactionary state for violating international humanitarian law, specifically the special protection for infants, children, and pregnant women.

We call on peace and human rights advocates all over the world, as well as women’s organizations, to support the campaign for Baby Marx Cairo Salino’s release to his family. The Marcos Jr regime must be made accountable for the war crime of keeping Baby Marx and, other infants and children in similar circumstances, hostage.

Long live Ka Jandy!
Long live women Red fighters!
Long live the people’s democratic revolution!