NDFP conveys heartfelt condolences on the death of Clement John to his family, colleagues and innumerable friends
By LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
Since the 1980s while he was in Hong Kong with the Christian Conference of Asia, Clement John already showed his concern for the human rights situation in the Philippines under the Marcos dictatorship. In the early 1990s, while he was active in the World Council of Churches Commission on International Affairs, he was very active in winning moral and financial support for the NDFP Negotiating Panel in its negotiation with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. He was among those who sponsored the dialogue between the NDFP Negotiating Panel and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines held in Geneva in 1991. He was also instrumental in organizing a consortium of various church and human rights organizations to give moral and financial support to the NDFP Negotiating Panel.
NDFP conveys heartfelt condolences on the death of Clement John to his family, colleagues and innumerable friends
By LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) is deeply saddened by the death of Clement John, a good friend of the Filipino people and a firm supporter of their struggle for national and social liberation and a just and lasting peace in the Philippines.
We convey our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Violet, their children, extended family, colleagues and innumerable friends.
Since the 1980s while he was in Hong Kong with the Christian Conference of Asia, Clement John already showed his concern for the human rights situation in the Philippines under the Marcos dictatorship. In the early 1990s, while he was active in the World Council of Churches Commission on International Affairs, he was very active in winning moral and financial support for the NDFP Negotiating Panel in its negotiation with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. He was among those who sponsored the dialogue between the NDFP Negotiating Panel and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines held in Geneva in 1991. He was also instrumental in organizing a consortium of various church and human rights organizations to give moral and financial support to the NDFP Negotiating Panel.
Clement John was always a friend we could approach. He never hesitated to give his friendly advice. Through the many years of his support for the Filipino people’s struggle for liberation, democracy and a just and lasting peace, he has been a loved, respected and deeply appreciated friend to a wide spectrum of the progressive movement in the Philippines. It is no wonder that the World Council of Churches’ General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Sam Kobia, renders him high tribute as “an outstanding advocate in the international struggle for human rights” and “an ecumenical pioneer” who “organized fact-finding missions and pastoral visits to such regions as Sri Lanka, the Philippines, East Timor, Sudan, Nigeria and China.”
We shall sorely miss Clement John. But his exemplary spirit of internationalist solidarity and his friendship and support for the Filipino people will linger on in our hearts as we continue the struggle for liberation, democracy and a just and lasting peace which he fervently supported.
