By LUIS G. JALANDONI

Member, NDFP National Executive Committee

Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel

**Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal: Undying voice of the masses and the
revolution**

He was the undying voice of the oppressed and exploited masses. He was the undying voice of the revolution.

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) renders the highest tribute to Ka Roger, who loved and served the masses for more than forty years. The NDFP conveys its most heartfelt condolences to his children, his siblings, and other members of his family, and to his many comrades and friends.

Born of a peasant family and experiencing the poverty, exploitation and oppression undergone by the masses, Ka Roger understood their deepest aspirations, listened intently to them, and in simple down to earth terms clarified to them the line, policies and stand of the people’s democratic revolution.

After his incarceration under the Marcos dictatorship in 1973 and his daring escape together with nine other comrades later that year, Ka Roger joined the revolutionary armed struggle and became an organizer of various guerrilla fronts in the Southern Tagalog Region and also part of the Bicol region.

As spokesperson of the New People’s Army’s Melito Glor Command and since 1993 as spokesperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines, Ka Roger became the face and voice of the revolutionary movement. He encouraged the youth to integrate with the masses and visit the guerrilla fronts. He invited journalists to come to the guerrilla fronts and see for themselves the revolutionary work among the peasants and farm workers.

Ka Roger earned the respect and admiration of many media people. They sought his views on every burning national issue. He would also call them up to present the stand of the revolutionary movement. He frustrated the attempts of the military and police to capture him. He gave press conferences in various parts of the country. He played an
important role in the safe and orderly releases of prisoners of war.

So loved by the masses was he that they would seek his advice and assistance for problems they had with the local reactionary government.

Despite getting sick with typhoid fever in 1995 and suffering heart attacks in 1997 and 2000 he continued his tireless work as a revolutionary organizer, guerrilla front leader and propagandist. But his third heart attack in 2006 caused much damage to his health. Under severe limitations, he still continued to undertake revolutionary tasks.

He died on 22 June 2011. On 15 October 2011, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People’s Army (NPA), the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), and other revolutionary forces will honor Ka Roger.

Ka Roger’s undying voice will continue to resonate throughout the country. His exemplary revolutionary legacy will live on in the hearts of the masses, whose deepest longings and fighting spirit found an effective voice in him.

Long live the undying voice of the masses! Long live the undying voice of the revolution!

Long live Ka Roger and the masses he loved and served!

Long live the Philippine Revolution!