The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely passing away last October 8, 2016 of progressive and independent documentary film maker and journalist Kor Al. The NDFP conveys its sincerest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
In August 2002, the United States government, through Secretary of State Colin Powell and the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Treasury Department, declared the CPP, the NPA, and NDFP Chief Political Consultant Prof. Jose Maria Sison as “terrorists”. This sabotaged the peace negotiatins between the NDFP and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP).
The Dutch government followed the US terrorist designation the following day, on August 13, 2002. GRP government officials welcomed the US terrorist declaration. Rightists in the US, the Philippines, and in Europe launched a campaign to demonize Prof. Jose Maria Sison and the Philippine revolutionary movement.
Kor Al, togerher with his close friend, Atty. Bernard Tomlow, pro-bono lawyer of the NDFP, took a quick decision to go to the Philippines and make a timely documenetary, which Kor Al would name, “Terror or Arbitrariness”. Kor Al interviewed important personalities in the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, prominent Church dignitaries, leaders of people’s organizations, and a unit of the New People’s Army in a guerrilla front.
He interviewed Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jose de Venecia, Senator Loren Legarda of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP); Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church Tomas A. Millamena and veteran urban poor leader, Carmen “Ka Mameng” Deunida. They all spoke highly of Prof. Sison as a Filipino patriot and leader. They vigorously condemned his being arbitarily called a “terrorist” by the USA.
Kor Al and Bernard Tomlow went to an NPA guerrila front and interviewed an NPA commander about the NPA’s work in land reform production, education, health and other services to the masses.
Coming back from the Philippines, Kor Al efficiently finished his documentary, “Terror or Arbitrariness” and had it broadcast on the Dutch national television. His documentary became a powerful defense of Prof. Jose Maria Sison and a strong condemnation of US violation of the national independence and sovereignty of the Filipino people.
Kor Al rendered other important services to Filipino solidarity activists by offering training and concrete suggestions on how to develop their media solidarity work. He developed friendships with Filipino journalists who worked with him.
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines pays high tribute to Kor Al for his internationalist spirit and valuable contribution to the struggle of the Filipino people for national and social liberation and for a just and lasting peace in the Philippines.
Luis G. Jalandoni
Chief International Representatives
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
