The Lupon ng mga Manananggol ng Bayan (LUMABAN) expresses its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ka Luis Jalandoni or Ka Louie as he was fondly called. In Ka Louie’s passing, the country has lost an exemplary revolutionary who dedicated his life to the cause of the masses.

Early on, as a young priest in Negros, Ka Louie saw the injustice that pervaded the island. Going against his class origin, Ka Louie fought for the rights of sugar cane plantation workers and in the process earning the ire of the Marcos regime and the military.

To most of the public, Ka Louie is known for his work as the Chairperson of the NDFP Peace Negotiating Panel. It was during his tenure as Chairperson of the NDFP Panel that important agreements such as the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) were signed. As Chairperson of the NDFP Peace Panel, Ka Louie did not only provide a face to the NDFP and the revolutionary movement. His dignified demeanor in the conduct of the negotiations with the GRP and his engagements with the public exuded sincerity and reasonableness. More importantly, Ka Luis was able to clearly explain and show to the public the justness of the struggle of revolutionary movement.

Even after Ka Louie announced his “retirement” from the NDFP peace negotiating panel in 2016, his work for peace never really stopped. He continued to provide important insights to the NDFP panel.

When LUMABAN held its First Congress, Ka Louie was one of the first to offer a congratulatory message. Drawing from his own experience in helping establish the Christians for National Liberation (CNL), Ka Louie emphasized the importance of organizing a revolutionary organization among lawyers against imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism; one that will tirelessly work for the democratic aspirations of the people. And as his message continues to resonate among LUMABAN members, we would like to make this pledge:

“Panata naming ipagpapatuloy ang pamana ni Ka Louie ng walang pag-iiimbot na paglilingkod sa sambayanang Pilipino, walang hangganang pagpapakumbaba sa masa at rebolusyonaryong katapatan. Panata naming isusulong ang demokratikong rebolusyong bayan hanggang sa tagumpay.”

The death of Ka Louie is truly a loss for the revolution. But his lifelong work as a revolutionary is an inspiration to all revolutionaries. Mabuhay ang alaala ni Ka Louie! Mabuhay ang NDF! Mabuhay ang pambansang demokratikong rebolusyon!