Ang magbuhos ng dugo para sa bayan ay kagitingang hindi malilimutan. Ang buhay na inialay sa lupang mahal mayaman sa aral at kadakilaan.
Mula sa awiting Sulong, mga Kasama ng Armas -TK
In the early 1950s, Myrna Sularte, or Ka Maria Malaya was born in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, forty-two kilometres away from where she fought her last fierce battle. On February 12, 2025, Ka Maria Malaya was martyred by fascists troops of the 901st Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Barangay Pianing, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Mindanao. She was 71 years old.
Coming from a middle peasant family, Ka Maria Malaya chose to dedicate over forty years of her life to serving the Filipino people.
In 1977, she joined the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) at the height of the fascist dictatorship of Marcos Sr. She performed various important revolutionary tasks in the countryside and urban areas, including leading mass movements and Lumad struggles for ancestral domains in Mindanao region.
An iron-willed communist, military cadre par excellence and a fervent student of Marxism-Leninism-Maoisim, Ka Maria Malaya held various leading roles in the CPP. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Central Committee and Political Bureau, the secretary of the Regional Party Committee of Northeastern Mindanao and Mindanao Commission. She was also the spokesperson of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines – Northeast Mindanao.
Ka Maria Malaya was one of the indomitable pillars of revolutionary strength and courage in Mindanao during the Second Great Rectification Movement (SGRM) in 1992. Firmly holding on to the MLM principles, she resolutely promoted and implemented the SGRM.
As is well-known, Ka Maria Malaya was the beloved comrade-partner of Ka Jorge “Oris” Madlos, NPA spokesperson. Together, they led “the Party and the NPA to achieve revolutionary breakthroughs in the course of waging protracted people’s war.”
In 2021, Ka Oris, and a year later, in 2022 their son Vincent and daughter-in-law Glorivic, both NDF staff, were all brutally murdered by the fascist AFP soldiers.
Despite the heavy weight of grief and personal challenges brought on by her decades-long illness, Ka Maria Malaya’s determination to continue her revolutionary tasks and to fulfil her duties stood as a testament to her unyielding spirit and fortitude.
In candid moments, Ka Maria Malaya’s face would light up, and she would flash a beautiful wide smile, reflecting the joy she found in the presence of her comrades and the masses, as well as in the simple pleasures —like capturing the elusive beauty of rare orchids and flowers that flourished in the forests of guerrilla camps.
In the 1988 documentary, A Rusting of Leaves, the younger Ka Maria Malaya, bearing the same joyful disposition, chuckled lightheartedly at her own story of having many nom-de-guerres. During the interview, she shared, “In the white area, I [had[ more than ten code names. I [had] Gina, GC. I [had] Vicky. I [had] Lydia and…my first code name, since I was a part-timer, was Lotis. It’s funny because comrades called me Lotis because the night before they went to my house, they [saw] a TV show [featuring] Lotis.”
“To shed blood for the motherland is an unforgettable act of bravery. A life dedicated to the beloved land is rich in lessons and greatness.” These lyrics aptly reflect the heroism and greatness of Ka Maria Malaya, a beloved warrior of the oppressed peoples in Mindanao, whose unwavering commitment to the revolutionary struggle and communist cause, has inspired multitudes of Party members and Red fighters to continue advancing the people’s democratic revolution until victory. ##
A Tribute to Ka Maria Malaya, from her comrade
Highest salute to all comrades and Red fighters who continue to be at the forefront in waging the national democratic revolution in the Philippines.
As we celebrate the 56th anniversary of the founding of our beloved people‘s army—the New People‘s Army— we pay tribute to the martyrs who valiantly served the people and the revolution to their very last breath.
I especially remember Ka Maria Malaya or Ka Idang, Ka Iyay, Ka Josie to those who worked with her. An indefatigable leader, she worked tirelessly for the people and the revolution: First as a student and peasant organizer before she was recruited to the NPA. Then she became a liaison officer, connecting units of the NPA in Mindanao and the Visayas, and then as communication and supply officer ensuring safe and ready logistical support for the armed struggle. She was a medic too. But foremost, she was a teacher of the masses. She helped to develop the literacy and numeracy program that was the seed of the community basic education and alternative learning schools within the reach of the peasant and Lumad broad masses in the countryside in Mindanao.
She was a strict yet generous mentor, a by-the-book yet pragmatic comrade. Always a warm and comforting presence, her agile mind was always ready with a quick observation, an en pointe analysis.
She was a beloved daughter, sister, mother and kasama to thousands of the masses that she loved and served.
With other comrades — Ka Oris, Ka King, Ka Cecille, Ka Mandy, Ka Edroi, Ka Berto, Ka Jeff, Ka Paris — and many others whose lives of struggle and serving the people are our continuing inspiration to persevere — our highest tribute as we vow to continue our people‘s democratic revolution.
Hataas nga pagsaludo sa mga martir sa rebolusyon! Bantayog nga dili Matarog!
Mabuhi ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan!
Mabuhi ang katawhang nakigbisog!
Ipadayon ang demokratikong rebolusyon sa katawhan hangtud sa kadaugan!
