By Diego Morra
The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) mourns the passing of passing of Luis “Ka Louie” Jalandoni, former chairperson of the Peace Panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in Utrecht, The Netherlands on June 7, 2025.
A former Roman Catholic priest born into a wealthy landowning family in Negros, Ka Louie came to learn the root causes of the armed conflict in the country – poverty, landlessness, inaccessibility to services and inequitable distribution of resources – when he was assigned in the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod. Showing his seriousness in addressing these issues, Ka Louie gave away his share of the family’s landholdings to the landless tillers. This act of selflessness mirrored e Later he left the priesthood in pursuit of a more just and democratic society for the Philippines, ultimately joining the revolutionary movement, PEPP said.
For the PEPP and concerned peace advocates, Ka Louie’s legacy will forever be that of a peacemaker. Ka Louie led the peace panel of the NDFP in negotiating with their counterparts in the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and tried to find common ground instead of barriers, a testament to his desire to attain peace through principled dialogue that addresses the root causes of the armed conflict. He led the NDFP peace panel in talking with their government counterparts in crafting the Hague Joint Declaration of 1992, which laid the framework and substantive agenda of the formal peace talks.
It was during his tenure as chief negotiator of the NDFP peace panel when the landmark Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) was crafted and signed by both parties. Ka Louie had a calm but resolute demeanor that patiently explained the twists and turns of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. He graced the PEPP on several ocassions to enlighten church people and PEPP constituents on the importance and prospects of the Peace Talks. He was always a staunch advocate for the continuation of peace negotiations even if there are deadlocks that seem insurmountable.
For its part, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ordered all units of the New People’s Army (NPA) to conduct a 21-gun salute to Jalandoni at noon on June 12, 2025. CPP mourned the demise of Jalandoni, describing him as a revolutionary leader who was steadfast in organizing the people against the Marcos fascist dictatorship and mobilizing the religious sector in battling authoritarianism. Jalandoni broadened the NDFP in the country and abroad and linked up with revolutionary organizations overseas to strengthen the front’s alliances and fulfill its internationalist duties. Jalandoni and wife Coni Ledesma, a former nun, were central figures in shattering the myth that the Marcos dictatorship was invincible. As NDFP chief peace negotiator, Jalandoni linked up with NDFP-allied organizations and CPP and NPA forces in the countryside to discuss the progress of the peace talks, which were sabotaged in 1987 by militarist cliques and by the insincerity of the Estrada, Arroyo, Noynoy Aquino and Duterte administrations.
PEPP also called on both the NDFP and GRP to abide by their joint statement of November 23, 2023, which reiterated their commitment to pursue unconditional negotiations despite the unremitting campaign of militarist factions to block the peace talks, thinking that the regime could exterminate the insurgency in three years without addressing the root causes of the armed struggle and the systemic injustice under the current dispensation. PEPP ddsid: “To honor Ka Louie’s legacy as peacemaker, let us be witnesses to peace and affirm the biblical truth as written, “You know the message God sent to the people…announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:36 NIV.) PEPP co-chairperson Archbishop Emeritus Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, D.D., PEPP co-chairperson Rt. Rev. Rex B. Reyes, Jr. of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines and Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum (EBF), Bishop Emeritus Deogracias S. Iñiguez, Jr., D.D., head of the PEPP Secretariat and EBF, Sr. Mary John D. Mananzan, OSB, Office of Women and Gender Concerns-Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (OWGC-CMSP), Rev. Dr. Aldrin M. Peñamora, executive director of the Peace and Reconciliation Commission-Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PARC-PCEC) and Ms. Minnie Anne M. Calub, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) signed the PEPP’s June 9, 2025 statement.
The Council of Leaders for Peace Initiatives (CLPI) also mourned the passing of Luis “Ka Louie” Jalandoni, a distinguished and dedicated peace negotiator whose unwavering commitment to peace and justice has left a lasting legacy. Jalandoni served as chief negotiator of the NDFP, and worked tirelessly to promote dialogue, understanding, and just solutions to longstanding conflicts. His background in immersing himself among the basic sectors, especially the farmers of Negros Island, helped bridge divides and advance inclusive peace processes that prioritized the voices of marginalized communities, CLPI spokesperson Atty. Antonio Gabriel La Viña said. “His work is especially remembered in the context of pivotal moments such as The Hague Declaration of 1992, which laid critical groundwork for peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines and the NDFP. Additionally, his contributions stood out in the discussions leading to the Oslo Statement of 2023, demonstrating his ongoing dedication to peaceful solutions and sustainable peace,” La Vina added.
“We recall that on November 23, 2023, the Government of the Philippines and the NDFP signed a Joint Statement emphasizing the need to address the country’s socioeconomic, environmental, and security challenges through unity. They reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict and to tackling its roots, with both parties acknowledging longstanding grievances and agreeing to develop a framework that prioritizes socioeconomic and political reforms during negotiations,” La Vina revealed. Jalandoni’s legacy as a champion of dialogue, reconciliation, and inclusive engagement based on social justice continues to inspire current and future generations committed to achieving peace through negotiation that addresses the roots of armed conflict and social discord. We honor his memory and thank him for his enduring efforts in building a more just and peaceful world, CLPI concluded.
