Louie Jalandoni, NDFP senior consultant, dies at 90

Luis 'Louie' Jalandoni, a senior political consultant and executive committee member of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), passed away at 90 on Saturday.

Jalandoni served as chairman of the NDFP and played a crucial role in peace negotiations with the Philippine government.

Born in 1935, Jalandoni was a naturalized Dutch citizen who left the priesthood in 1974 to become an advocate for workers' rights and social justice.

He moved to The Netherlands in 1976 where he led international relations for the communist movement and later served as chief peace negotiator until 2016, despite being designated a terrorist under former President Duterte's administration.

Despite the designation, Jalandoni remained committed to peaceful negotiations and endorsed an agreement to restart stalled talks in November 2023, emphasizing the need for a substantive agenda that can provide concrete benefits for the people.

Jalandoni is remembered by friends for his warm demeanor and dedication to social justice, though his legacy remains complex due to ties to armed revolutionary movements.