Revolutionary forces in Eastern Visayas give the highest Red salute to Comrade Luis “Ka Louie” Jalandoni, revolutionary leader, beloved peace advocate and torchbearer for the Philippine revolution. In his passing we honor his life and legacy by rejecting the US-Marcos regime’s fake “peace,” and strengthen our commitment to carry on the people’s democratic revolution for genuine and lasting peace.

We recognize Ka Louie’s outstanding contributions as representative of the National Demoractic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). Together with other consultants he helped forge key agreements in the peace process with the reactionary government. The Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), in particular, has been an effective tool in educating Red fighters and the masses in guerrilla zones on human rights and humanitarian law, in the midst of wanton abuse by fascist state troops in the countryside.

In the peace process, he rejected and exposed sly machinations by all puppet regimes who simply aimed to force the surrender of the revolutionary forces, thereby ignoring the suffering of the masses that lie at the root of the civil war. Through it all, Ka Louie championed our aspirations for genuine agrarian revolution and nationalist industrial development, where the people are finally free from plunder and exploitation by US imperialism, bureaucrat capitalism and feudalism.

Setting aside his personal comforts, Ka Louie devoted his life to spreading the good news of the people’s war. His extraordinary life — from being a Catholic priest fighting alongside sugar workers, to his continued strength during his martial law incarceration, until his perseverance while in forced exile — shows us that putting the people’s interest before one’s own is a viable endeavor, far more noble than surrendering to the enemy that is larger and stronger only for now. In time, the revolutionary movement will inevitably learn from its lessons and the balance of forces will tip favorably for the revolution.

Ka Louie’s example, thus, inspires us, as our forces in Eastern Visayas continue to frustrate the US-Marcos regime’s fascist terrorism. There is no true peace in the region. The vast countryside has been placed under virtual martial law under the NTF-Elcac and the 8th ID. They are stifling the people’s voices; they brand anyone as “terrorists” and force them to “surrender.” Their large-scale military presence and surrender campaign pave the way for foreign and domestic plunderers salivating over the rich natural resources in the region.

But we do not cower. The Party, the New People’s Army and revolutionary mass organizations in Eastern Visayas continue to defy the odds. Widespread poverty and injustice remain fertile ground for the renewed vigor of the people’s war.

Ka Louie’s legacy along with the other martyrs will be forever etched in the annals of the Filipino people’s struggle for true freedom and democracy. Their lives will be our guiding light on the long road to victory.

Long live Comrade Luis Jalandoni! Long live the martyrs of the Philippine revolution!

Struggle for national democracy and socialism!

Resolutely fight the US-Marcos regime’s fascist terrorism.