Luis Jalandoni, Prominent Leader of Philippine Left, Dies at 90

MANILA, Philippines — Luis 'Ka Louie' Jalandoni, the exiled senior adviser to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and a central figure in the country's communist movement, passed away on June 7, 2025, in Utrecht, Netherlands. He was 90 years old. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) confirmed his death in a statement, describing him as a 'true internationalist, revolutionary leader, and stalwart of peace.' According to the CPP, Jalandoni died peacefully at 9:05 a.m. local time, surrounded by comrades, family, and his wife, Ka Coni Ledesma.

Jalandoni’s death follows the passing of other significant CPP-NDFP figures, including Fidel Agcaoili and Jose Maria 'Joma' Sison, who both died in 2020. A former Catholic priest from a prominent family in Negros Occidental, Jalandoni made a pivotal ideological turn in the 1970s, joining the underground resistance against Ferdinand Marcos's dictatorship. He co-founded Christians for National Liberation, a collective of clergy and laypeople critical of the regime, which became a part of the NDFP coalition.

During the Marcos regime, Jalandoni and his wife were detained at Fort Bonifacio in 1973. Reports indicate that they endured nearly a year in a dark cell before international pressure led to their release in 1974. Post-release, fearing re-arrest, the couple sought political asylum in the Netherlands in 1976, marking them as the first Filipinos to receive such status. From his base abroad, Jalandoni became the NDFP's chief international representative and its lead negotiator in peace talks with various Philippine administrations.

Notably, Jalandoni was instrumental in multiple rounds of negotiations, including the controversial talks with the Duterte administration, which ended acrimoniously in 2019. The same year, he faced revived murder charges related to alleged purges within the communist movement. In 2022, under Duterte’s Anti-Terrorism Council, Jalandoni was designated a terrorist, alongside five other CPP-New People's Army affiliates. Despite these challenges, he continued to advocate for peace talks and political reforms from exile.

The CPP credited Jalandoni with shining a light on the abuses of the Marcos dictatorship to the international audience and for establishing global solidarity networks for the NDFP. 'We will forever cherish the immense contributions he made in advancing the people’s struggle for national and social liberation,' the CPP stated. The organization vowed to carry forward his legacy of selfless service and commitment to the democratic revolution, honoring Jalandoni’s enduring influence on the Philippine leftist movement.

Jalandoni's life and work represent a significant chapter in Philippine history, highlighting the complex interplay of ideology, resistance, and the struggle for social justice. As the nation reflects on his contributions, discussions around the future of the NDFP and the broader leftist movement in the Philippines are expected to intensify, especially in light of the changing political landscape following the recent elections.