STATEMENTS OF THE POLITICAL PRISONERS AND KAPATID IN TRIBUTE TO DANTE SIMBULAN
TRIBUTE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS
We, the political prisoners of Metro Manila District Jail Annex 4, Bicutan, salute Dante Simbulan.
Although we did not have the chance to meet Doc Simbulan when some of us were activists in the 1970s, we gradually learned about his significant contributions to the movement for democracy and independence.
In our studies of Struggle for National Democracy by Jose Ma. Sison, we were puzzled by how he was able to lecture on “The Mercenary Tradition of the AFP” at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1966. Eventually, we learned that this lecture was organized by Doc Simbulan, who graduated from the PMA, became an active AFP officer, and a PMA instructor.
The superintendent of the PMA was not pleased with the invitation to Ka Joma, which led to Doc Simbulan’s resignation. However, the seeds he planted bore fruit. Not long after, two AFP officers from the PMA defected to the New People’s Army.
It is also remarkable that despite being part of the Philippine Army, which was actively suppressing the people in the 1950s, Doc Simbulan chose “The Socialist Movement in the Philippines 1920–1960” as the subject of his masteral thesis at the University of the Philippines. In this work, he sought to understand the historical roots of the revolutionary movement.
Doc Simbulan became an active part of the broad movement for democracy and independence, including the fight against the fascist Marcos dictatorship. Because of his stand, he was imprisoned during martial law and was forced into political exile. But even while living in the United States, he continued his activism and sharp analysis of the fascist military and Philippine society.
The life and struggle of Dante Simbulan continue to inspire us. We salute you, Kasamang Dante Simbulan. You are a true soldier and defender of the people.
Vicente P. Ladlad, Reynante Gamara, Edisel Legaspi, Adelberto Silva, Rene Atadero, Joel Demate, Maoj Maga, Bob Reyes, Mark Ryan Cruz, Jaymie Gregorio, and 18 other political prisoners
Metro Manila District Jail Annex 4 | Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City
TRIBUTE OF KAPATID
KAPATID, our support group of families and friends of political prisoners, gives honor to the life and legacy of Dante C. Simbulan who passed away at age 94 in the U.S. on October 12, 2024.
A former political prisoner himself during martial law, Doc Simbulan was one of the earliest supporters of Kapatid when we were reactivated on June 15, 2019. We wholeheartedly thank him for his compassion and generosity toward political prisoners.
His writings and activism reflect a life of intellectual integrity and serve as a guide for all those who dare to speak truth to power. May his strength and honor find a thousand echoes in the ranks of those who call themselves protectors of the people.
KAPATID, which means brother/sister in the Philippine language, is a support organization of families and friends of political prisoners in the Philippines that works for their release and the protection of their rights and welfare.
National Office: Erythrina Bldg., 1 Maaralin cor. Matatag Sts., Barangay Central, Quezon City 1100, Philippines
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