Fifty-four years ago, the Christians for National Liberation (CNL) was born out of a simple yet radical conviction: a faith that refuses to confront oppression is a betrayal of the Gospel. From that moment until today, the CNL has lived out this calling, standing in solidarity with the poor, the exploited, and the persecuted, and consciously choosing the side of the poor, taking its place alongside the masses in the historic struggle for national sovereignty, social justice, and genuine liberation.

Today, we mark our anniversary amid deepening global and local crises. These crises are not accidental nor orchestrated by God or a higher being. These are the inevitable outcome of a rotten system that survives by exploitation, plunder, and repression.

Globally, the imperialist system is in terminal crisis. Monopoly capitalism is wracked by chronic economic stagnation, runaway inflation, debt slavery, and intensifying exploitation of workers worldwide. Inter-imperialist rivalries, all led by US imperialism—are sharpening, turning entire regions into militarized zones and proxy battlegrounds. Punctuated wars of aggression, arms buildup, and fascist measures are used to revive profit rates and silence resistance. The ecological crisis worsens as imperialist powers continue to pillage the environment, sacrificing the future of humanity for private profit.

In the Philippines, the global crisis of imperialism sharpens the crisis of a semicolonial and semifeudal society. The country remains under the grip of US imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat capitalism. This unholy alliance defines the character of the state and explains the permanence of mass poverty and repression.

The US–Marcos Jr. regime is not an aberration but a continuation and consolidation of ruling-class dictatorship. Economically, it enforces neoliberal plunder, debt dependency, and comprador submission. Politically, it entrenches elite monopoly and bureaucrat corruption. Militarily, it advances fascist repression and full-scale counterinsurgency. Strategically, it surrenders national sovereignty to US military designs. This regime is bureaucrat-capitalist to the core, using state power for private gain, and fascist in fashion, relying on terror to suppress the people’s resistance.

Since its founding, the CNL stands firm and militant in the midst of a world and a nation grappled by crisis. This crisis is not merely moral failure or poor governance. It is the systemic crisis of imperialism and ruling-class domination, and condemned long ago by the biblical witness itself.

The God of the Bible is not neutral in history but sides with the oppressed, hearing their cries and acting against systems of enslavement and injustice (Exodus 3:7–8; Amos 5:11–12; Isaiah 5:8). Scripture portrays oppression as structural violence sustained by state power and elite rule. Jesus stands firmly in this tradition, proclaiming good news to the poor and freedom for captives, confronting exploitative systems, and challenging the alliance of religion and empire (Luke 4:18–19; Matthew 21:12–13). His execution exposes the cost of siding with the oppressed, while the resurrection declares God’s judgment against empire and affirms that liberation cannot be crushed. The early Christian communities embodied this vision through shared resources and collective care, practicing a faith that resisted unjust social orders so that none among them were in need (Acts 4:32–35).

Since its birth in February 17, 1972, the Christians for National Liberation continued this long history of siding with the poor, oppressed, and persecuted by deeply rooting itself in the struggle of the Filipino masses. Under Marcos Sr’s dictatorship, CNL members went to the countryside and joined the armed struggle; joined the picket lines, breaking the culture of fear brought by fascist terror; and participated and supported the national democratic revolution in various forms.

For more than five decades since, the CNL has been successful in its organizational life, in supporting and participating in the people’s armed struggle in the countryside, and in mobilizing the broadest number of Filipino faithful in service of the people’s struggle and revolution. The CNL remained steadfast, even in the face of internal errors, mainly in the 1980s to early 1990s, characterized by revisionism and sectarianism; and external weaknesses brought about by state fascism. These were painstakingly addressed and corrected in its sixth Congress in the late 90s.

Today, the CNL continues to expand and organize among people of faith across the country and globally. It continues to serve workers and farmers in city centers and in the countryside, rooting its integration with the basic masses. The CNL persistently supports and participates in the revolutionary armed struggle in the countryside, through helping in guerilla zone preparation, exposure campaigns, participation in tour of duty, and joining the New People’s Army.

In the face of these achievements and victories, the CNL humbly acknowledges its weaknesses such as conservatism and liberalism, especially in sluggishness in expanding its ranks in the recent years. In its efforts to address these weaknesses, it was reminded that the key to rectify these was to reinvigorate revolutionary education among its members and cadres. Deepening the integration of its members in the basic sectors also ensures that their critical analysis on the structural enemy of the people are sharpened, and their commitment to the people’s democratic revolution is fortified.

In the spirit of its 54th anniversary, the Christians for National Liberation renews its commitment to strengthen and expand its ranks by:
• Deepening its integration with the masses, especially in sites of exploitation and resistance.
• Rejecting reformism and liberal illusions.
• Developing cadres who unite Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and revolutionary Christian praxis.
• Persevering despite intensified fascist attacks.

CNL unequivocally affirms that the national democratic revolution with socialist perspective is the only path toward genuine liberation. CNL commits to:
• Unmask imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat capitalism as structural enemies of life, dignity, and peace.
• Perform assiduously and with utmost care in providing material support and safe spaces for the basic masses and members of underground revolutionary organizations, especially the NPA
• Become daring in participating in the armed struggle, whether temporarily or in a full-time basis
• Advance internationalist solidarity with oppressed peoples struggling against exploitation and war.

After 54 years, CNL understands that revolution is not a moment but a protracted process. Repression, setbacks, and sacrifices are inherent to the struggle. What is decisive is ideological clarity and mass anchorage. CNL remains unwavering. The crises of the system only confirm the correctness of our path. History is on the side of the oppressed, and the future belongs to the organized masses.

With the people, we march.
With the masses, we struggle.
With faith, alongside the revolution, we shall win.

Strengthen and expand CNL!
Deepen integration with the masses!
Advance the national democratic revolution with socialist perspective!
Down with the US–Marcos Jr. bureaucrat-capitalist and fascist regime!
Onward with the protracted people’s war!