Message of Condolence from SAMIDOUN Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network

Dear comrades of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines,

We write on behalf of the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network to express our deepest condolences upon the passing of Fidel V. Agcaoili, National Democratic Front of the Philippines Negotiating Panel chairperson.

We honor the longtime commitment of Ka Fidel to the liberation of the people of the Philippines and his struggle inside the Philippines and in exile, including his commitment to the liberation of political prisoners. His committed internationalism embraced the struggle for justice from the Philippines to Palestine and beyond, and he is remembered by all around the world who stand with liberation movements and confront imperialism, capitalism and exploitation.

As a former political prisoner himself, the longest-held political prisoner during the years of the Marcos dictatorship, he stands as an example of the leadership of political prisoners under detention and after liberation. He was later the founding secretary of Selda, itself an organization of, by and for political prisoners and detainees.

With this message, we also express the condolences of the Palestinian prisoners’ movement inside Israeli occupation prisons upon the loss of Ka Fidel. He will always be remembered with love and honor as an internationalist comrade, a struggler breaking down prison bars, and a leader in the movement of the people of the Philippines.

In struggle always,

Charlotte Kates
International Coordinator, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network

Thomas Hofland
Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, Netherlands

Mohammed Khatib
Europe Coordinator, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network