Ka Jaime Soledad was one of the young leaders who founded the New People’s Army (NPA) in the East Visayan province of Leyte in 1970. He became a stalwart organizer and educator of the revolutionary movement in Leyte. He opened up many organized areas in Leyte and did comprehensive territorial work.
Ka Jaime undertook outstanding revolutionary work as Education and Propaganda Officer of the NPA. He was an excellent listener and story teller. He integrated well with the exploited and he was happiest when he was with the poor peasant masses.
In the field, he became a legendary guerrilla commander, fighting the fascist troops of Marcos dictatorship and building NPA guerrilla fronts with organs of political power.
Ka Jaime Soledad was hunted by the fascist troops of the dictator Marcos. He was arrested several times and heavily tortured, but he remained firm to his revolutionary principles.
For his outstanding revolutionary work, he was designated NDFP Representative for Eastern Visayas. When peace talks resumed in August 2016, he was released from prison. He actively participated in the peace negotiations between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) under President Duterte.
He was a natural for the NDFP Reciprocal Working Committee on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) in the peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway in August 2016, and the subsequent peace talks. He shared his rich experience in the discussions on land reform, the free distribution of land to the peasants and fisherfolk.
During a break in between peace talks, Ka Jaime Soledad joined other NDFP consultants in revolutionary gatherings with other Filipino comrades and foreign friends in forums to welcome them. Ka Jaime Soledad would strum the guitar and sing revolutionary songs.
Despite significant gains in the peace negotiations on land reform and national industrialization and the six-month simultaneous unilateral ceasefire from August 2016 until February 2017, President Duterte ordered that the released NDFP Consultants be put in prison. Hence, Ka Jaime Soledad and the other NDFP Consultants had to make arrangements to safely return to the Phiippines, with the help of the Royal Norwegian Government.
Ka Jaime Soledad already in his late 60s reintegrated with the poor peasant masses and fisherfolk. He continued helping in the organizing work, joined by his wife. At the age of 70, after 50 years of revolutionary work, he died of cancer on May 13, 2020.
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines conveys its deepest condolences to his wife, the rest of his family, his comrades and poor peasant masses and fisherfolk whom he served and who loved him.
Long live the revolutionary memory of Ka Jaime Soledad, lover of the peasant masses and fisherfolk!
May his revolutionary example further inspire the youth and the masses!
Long live the Filipino people’s struggle for national and social liberation and a just and lasting peace!
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
National Executive Committee
