A tribute message from the Philippine Chapter of International League of People’s Struggles (ILPS-Philippines)
The Philippine Chapter of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS-Philippines) pays the highest tribute to Ka Fidel Agcaoili as he passed away last July 23 in The Netherlands at the age of 75. He was a staunch fighter against imperialism and fascist reaction. He helped build
the broadest anti-imperialist and anti-fascist front in solidarity with the world’s peoples.
A scion of a rich family in the Philippines, he could have lived a comfortable life. Yet he chose to embrace the working masses and lead their revolutionary struggles. The semi-feudal and semi-colonial crisis spurred the upper classes to join ranks with workers and peasants. It was not the other way around even with the current Covid-19 pandemic. The workers refuse to tail behind the capitalists and would not be silenced by governments’ use of force.
Whenever he had a chance to visit the Philippines during peace negotiations for which he took an active part amid the on-going people’s war in the country, he would find time to meet with old workers in the slums of Tondo whom he had spent years in prison under martial law. He was not only a Ka-kosa (a prison mate). He was a genuine friend and comrade.
He helped other peoples fight for their liberation. He inspired others to build their own proletarian leadership based on mass movements and struggles. He was at the 6th International Assembly last year in Hong Kong and gave valuable input for its eventual success.
We would continue to reap in the coming years and decades Ka Fidel’s contributions to the socialist cause of humanity. He was a Filipino patriot, an internationalist, and an outstanding proletarian revolutionary. His contribution to the peace talks and the struggle for just and lasting
peace are manifold and will be remembered. The imperialists and reactionary ruling classes could have no one to compare with his excellent leadership. The peoples of the world continue to study, organize and mobilize for real social change.
Ka Fidel’s revolutionary legacy lives on.
Long live Ka Fidel!
Long live international solidarity!
