Members of Christians for National Liberation (CNL) concluded their 10th National Congress with full determination and steely resolve to carry forward this year’s theme: Strengthen and expand our ranks and further contribute in advancing the national democratic revolution! Strike deeper roots with the masses in fighting the fascist and bureaucrat-capitalist US-Marcos Jr. regime! Advance the armed struggle!
An NDFP-allied underground revolutionary organization of priests, nuns and church people, CNL was founded on February 17, 1972, and played a pivotal role during the struggle against and the ouster of the US-Marcos fascist dictatorship. Since then, CNL has continued to fight for national liberation alongside the poor and oppressed peoples.
During their 10th Congress, newly elected Chairperson Renmin Malaya emphasized the importance of immersing and integrating themselves with the masses to build a “community of faith committed to the liberation of the oppressed”, and to advance the national democratic revolution. Malaya also emphasized to faithfully advance the armed struggle, noting the need to deploy forces to the New People’s Army (NPA).
NDFP-panel member and one of the pillars of CNL, Coni Ledesma expressed pride in CNL’s achievements and wished them to “welcome more new members and steadfastly bear witness to what true Christianity truly is—standing up and fighting for the rights of the oppressed and exploited.”
Revolutionary organizations, such as the Liga ng Agham para sa Bayan (LAB – NDFP) and Compatriots commended CNL for focusing on expanding their ranks and their meaningful contributions to the advance of the Philippine revolution.
Recognizing CNL’s significant role during the early stages of people’s democratic revolution in the early 1970s and during the Second Great Rectification Movement (SGRM), the CPP’s Central Committee envisions CNL taking on a meaningful role in further advancing the revolutionary work comprehensively throughout the country.
The 10th Congress paid tribute to all martyrs and heroes of the Philippine revolution. At the same time, CNL members abroad paid special tribute to Louie Jalandoni, highlighting his life and legacy. They said, “Ka Louie Jalandoni served as a strong voice for the oppressed and exploited, especially the sugarcane farm workers of Negros both as an activist priest and one of the founders of CNL.”
Lastly, Malaya declared the Congress a success and called the attendees to “reaffirm our vow to heighten the support in all fronts and carry forward the national democratic revolution with socialist perspective.”