Kabataang Makabayan-Agaton Topacio joins the entire revolutionary movement in mourning the death of Ka Louie Jalandoni. On behalf of the revolutionary youth, we offer our highest honors and Red salute to an exemplary revolutionary and communist. Ka Louie dedicated his life to serving the people, wherever he was—whether as an activist priest or revolutionary diplomat—he served the people wholeheartedly. Ka Louie Jalandoni’s contributions are indelible, and his voice will be deeply missed.
Born in Negros Occidental, Ka Louie came from a family of affluent sugarcane plantation owners. His frequent exposure to the dire conditions of farmers sparked his political consciousness at an early age, eventually leading him to join the priesthood, where he carried out a life of service and sacrifice. He headed the Social Action Center of the Bacolod Diocese and actively participated in the Church to the Barrios program, further immersing himself in rural communities, which allowed him to forge bonds with the peasants and workers.
Recognizing the enduring plight of the landless, Ka Louie redistributed the land he inherited from his family. The worsening tide of the Marcos regime stoked his militancy and impelled him to go underground. In 1972 he joined the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and took part in founding the Christians for National Liberation (CNL), a political organization comprised of revolutionary Christians united in advancing the people’s struggle. He and his soon-to-be-partner Coni Ledesma were arrested a year later and became political detainees.
In prison, Ka Louie endured the torture of being kept in a dark cell without windows. Thanks to a vigorous campaign by allies, supporters and human rights groups, they were released in 1974. Ka Louie and Ka Coni would return to their revolutionary tasks not long after their release. Ka Louie left the priesthood in 1974. In 1974, Ka Louie and Ka Coni would marry.
As full-time revolutionaries, the couple worked tirelessly. Ka Louie participated in efforts that strengthened the clandestine network of underground communications and boldly took on an important role in organizing the La Tondeña strike that shattered the silence of Martial rule. This unleashed a flood of demonstrations and mass actions that shook the US-Marcos Sr regime.
In 1976, Ka Louie would go on to lead the international relations work of the Party from abroad. And in 1980, Ka Louie would become the international representative of the NDFP. He used the opportunity to broaden the international support base for the Filipino people’s struggle against imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat-capitalism. Ka Louie would comprehensively flourish in this role, organizing the first Permanent People’s Tribunal for the Philippines in 1980, which exposed the widespread human rights abuses of the US-Marcos Sr. regime. Alongside other comrades based overseas, Ka Louie expanded the revolutionary solidarity network to include overseas Filipinos and sympathetic foreigners. Firmly grasping the proletarian internationalist tasks ahead, he sought to build bridges among the various liberation struggles worldwide, alongside countries and ruling parties seeking independence against Yankee imperialism.
His work spanned from overseeing the NDFP publications to taking charge of the proto-diplomatic work that led to the international recognition of the Philippine revolutionary united front. His all-around contributions to the advancement of the people’s democratic revolution on the world stage are immeasurable.
From the international arena to the negotiating table, Ka Louie did not back down from asserting a just and lasting peace. He fought hard to ensure that the peace talks did not lead toward capitulation. He fought for substantive reforms and safeguards. As chief NDFP negotiator, Ka Louie would prove the entire peace delegation’s commitment to addressing the roots of the armed conflict. Despite several hardships and heated exchanges, Ka Louie remained firm, but calm, convincing the representatives on the other side of the table of the necessity of a just and lasting peace based on comprehensive social reforms. Ka Louie’s acumen for alliance building while remaining true to his principles must be studied and emulated by the youth.
By then, Ka Louie proved his steadfastness as a cadre of the revolution. One of his lasting contributions was advancing the Second Great Rectification ovement along with his comrades, which addressed the errors of the Party and attempted to weed out its unbecoming tendencies. Such renewal was necessary to further strengthen the revolutionary movement and reaffirm its line.
Ka Louie was indefatigable when it came to advancing the Filipino people’s interest for national and social liberation. Retiring from his official duties at the age of 80, he continued to devote his life to championing the people’s struggles, upholding his principles rooted in genuine justice until the very end.
The Filipino masses, both at home and abroad, will forever remember and cherish the memory of Ka Louie Jalandoni. We vow to continue what he started. We must all strive to emulate Ka Louie Jalandoni, a stalwart of peace, a champion of the people’s democratic revolution. His life is sure to inspire many others from privileged backgrounds to turn their backs on the rotten reactionary system and dedicate themselves to a life of tireless struggle for national democracy and socialism. KM-Agaton Topacio calls upon the youth to serve the revolution, as Ka Louie had, and take inspiration from his life and works. We will rise and surge forward until victory!
