‘No need for armed revolution, friend’

This is with reference to the news report titled “Hopes dim for gov’t-Reds peace talks” (Page A2,  4/28/13), specifically to the statement of my friend Luis Jalandoni, and I wish to express to him my utter dismay and indignation.

I would like to inform the readers of the Inquirer that Jalandoni used to be my good friend during the days of martial law. I was even instrumental in his going to the Netherlands, my native country, and in the setting up of the National Democratic Front (NDF) office in Utrecht. Jalandoni enjoyed the privileges that the Dutch government gives to its citizens because he became a Dutch citizen himself.

As chief political consultant of Prof. Jose Ma. Sison when he fled to Holland after the Edsa Revolution, he was given asylum privileges in that country. Now the two of them live there in grand style at the expense of the social securities in Holland.

The negotiations with the Philippine government in Norway led to nowhere. After 40 years the Philippine government and the NDF are still quarreling about minor issues, and peace is nowhere in sight. I would suggest to my friend Jalandoni to come back to the Philippines and get involved here in the struggle for the liberation of the Filipino people, like I have been doing ever since the Edsa Revolution until this time. Then he could find out for himself that the situation in the Philippines has changed drastically after Marcos was gone.

There is no need for another armed revolution. We have now a democracy and we can involve ourselves in a parliamentary struggle.

—ARNOLD VAN VUGT,

PN Roa Subd.,

Cagayan de Oro City