The Pilgrims for Peace and the National Democratic Front -Negros on Monday, June 9, paid tribute to Luis Gamboa Jalandoni, former NDF chairman and chief peace negotiator who passed away in Utrecht, The Netherlands, on Saturday.
Jalandoni, 90, from Silay City, Negros Occidental, was a former Diocese of Bacolod priest before he joined the revolutionary movement.
The Pilgrims for Peace, in a statement, called Jalandoni a “gentle warrior for just peace in the Philippines”.
The “outpouring of accolades for his laudable journey of solidarity with the Filipino masses underscore Ka Louie’s grit and integrity as a fighter for social justice in the Philippines”, it said.
The group commended Jalandoni for “his life of exemplary service” and for carrying the “flame of hope and possibility for resolving the roots of armed conflict through principled peace negotiations”.
“Ka Louie demonstrated a well-spring of solidarity and a keen ear to listen to the hearts and dreams of the poor, deprived and oppressed and their advocates,” it added.
The statement was signed by San Carlos Bishop Gerardo A. Alminaza, former Obispo Maximo of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Rhee M. Timbang, Bishop Francisco ‘Nonie’ Aviso Jr. of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Sr. Maureen Catabian – Women, Justice and Peace and Integrity in of Creation, Kej Andres – Student Christian Movement national chairperson, Dss Norma Dollaga – KASIMBAYAN general secretary and Rev. Irma Balaba – Promotion of Church People’s Response spokesperson.
Ka Bayani Obrero, National Democratic Front – Negros spokesperson, in a separate statemen said various allied revolutionary organizations mourn the passing of Jalandoni.
“We remember him as the Negrosanon activist-priest who fought side by side with the farm workers in their struggle for just wages, humane working conditions and benefits. We cannot forget his important role in the victorious strike launched by the workers of Central Azucarera de Bais in the ’80s,” Obrero said.
They also remember him as the untiring peace negotiator who never wavered in pursuing the fundamental demands of the people at the negotiating table, he added.
Obrero called Jalandoni their hero “who transcended his affluent landlord origin in Silay City, Negros Occidental, and became one with the Negrosanon masses in their great struggle for national freedom and democracy”.
They pledge to honor and uphold his legacy, he added.*