Honor the life and legacy of Louie Jalandoni!

International Women’s Alliance is devastated to learn of the passing of beloved Philippine revolutionary Louie Jalandoni the morning of June 7, in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Ka Louie was 90 years old, and the lifelong husband and companion of IWA founding member, Coni Ledesma.

Ka Louie was the Chairperson of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and a long-time chief negotiator for Peace talks with the Philippine government. In 1972, he founded the Christians for National Liberation (CNL), leading progressive-minded religious workers in resisting the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Jalandoni and his wife were arrested and detained at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City in 1973 while the country was under martial law. They were released a year later, and immediately resumed revolutionary work.

In 1976, Jalandoni and his wife went abroad where they sought and granted political asylum in the Netherlands. From exile, he worked in building support for the Philippine revolution.

The couple has been living in exile in the Netherlands for over 30 years, far from their beloved homeland. Ka Louie was a model for all revolutionaries: a modest, gentle man, committed to serving the people until his last breath. He was principled, and unflinching in his commitments while finding space for unities with most of his interlocuters.

He was always a strong supporter of women’s rights and equality and together with his companion Coni Ledesma, their revolutionary love for the people and each other as a couple continues to be a model for us all.

IWA honors his legacy of commitment to fundamental, revolutionary change.