MANILA, Philippines - After several claims by the military that the rebels repeatedly denied, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) finally announced yesterday that its spokesman, Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal, died of a heart attack more than three months ago.
In a statement, CPP said Rosal died in an undisclosed guerrilla zone on June 22 after suffering a heart attack. He was 64.
“The public announcement was delayed to allow the concerned organs of the CPP to inform Ka Roger’s daughters of their father’s demise,” CPP said.
“Intense military operations prevented information from reaching his daughters with dispatch. Ka Roger’s siblings have also been informed of his passing,” it added.
CPP said Rosal’s life would “serve as an inspiration to the people to carry forward their revolutionary struggles.”
The communists said all units of the New People’s Army (NPA) carried out a gun salute to honor Rosal.
The military, on the other hand, expressed condolences to the family of Rosal and urged the rebels to settle their conflict with the government.
“We would like to offer our condolences to his (Rosal) family. We ask other communist leaders to settle the conflict peacefully. It’s senseless to kill fellow Filipinos,” Army acting spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said.
Cabunoc said Rosal’s death apparently affected the morale of the insurgents.
“They may be demoralized since he (Rosal) was regarded as the face of the revolution. The rebels looked up to him,” he said.
Rosal, who served as head of the NPA Melito Glor Command in Southern Luzon, became the face of insurgency when he granted several media interviews in the early part of the previous decade.
In 2007, there had been reports that Rosal was suffering from an illness. Nothing more was heard about him towards the end of the previous decade.
There were reports that Rosal was already bedridden after suffering from a stroke. There were also claims that Rosal died while being transported out of hospital.
Rumors about Rosal’s supposed death spread as early as last year but the CPP denied this. Some military officials believed Rosal had already died in 2010 since he was no longer seen granting media interviews.
The Armed Forces even offered medical assistance to Rosal but the CPP rejected this, believing it was just a trap.
In an apparent attempt to prove that Rosal was still alive, the CPP issued a New Year statement last Dec. 31 attributed to its spokesman.
“With the New Year, let us renew our resolve to achieve revolutionary change. Revolution is the only light that bursts through the cloudy sky and gives hope to the people,” the statement quoted Rosal as saying.
“Despite the hardship and pain, let us devote all our strength and abilities to the advancement and victory of the revolution.”