In
the past three decades, Comrade Antonio Zumel has zealously dedicated his life
to the historic struggle of the Filipino people to achieve national freedom,
democracy, justice and a lasting peace.
As
journalist and trade unionist, and as first chair of the Amado V. Hernandez
Foundation (1971), Zumel fought hard for press freedom and the
workers’ rights to organize and to strike. As the first two-term president
of the National Press Club of the Philippines (1969-71), he opened the NPC
premises as sanctuary for youth and worker activists chased by riot police in
brutal dispersals of rallies and demonstrations, and as venue for their press
conferences and assembly point for protest marches.
When
Marcos imposed martial law in 1972, Zumel, along with a few journalist
colleagues, joined the underground revolutionary movement. He turned his back
on a life of relative comfort, the company of his “Batang Klub” drinking
and card-playing buddies, and the fulfillment of his lifetime journalistic
ambition. He has since remolded himself into a true revolutionary.
Antonio
Zumel was an original member of the Preparatory Commission for the National
Democratic Front. He became a member of the NDF negotiating panel in the
initial peace talks with the Aquino government (1986-87) and later national
spokesman. In 1994 the First National Conference of the NDF acclaimed
him as Chairman Emeritus.
Throughout
the twists and turns of the revolutionary struggle, Comrade Zumel has been a
steady hand in propaganda work, mass work and alliance-building.
Ably, he crafted polemical articles defending and fostering the correct
revolutionary line. He was highly regarded for heading the
assiduous investigations of cases involving discipline in the underground
organization.
Despite
his weakened body and intermittent illnesses, Comrade Zumel endured without
complaint the rigors and perils of daily struggle in the hills and in the
plains. In 1989, he accepted the assignment outside the country only to
relieve comrades of the burden of looking after his physical wellbeing and to
maximize his contribution to the revolutionary cause.
Ever
a good soldier to the revolutionary movement, Comrade Zumel has not balked at
taking up any assigned task. And without fail, he has done his best.
We,
leaders of people’s organizations under the aegis of the Bagong Alyansang
Makabayan (BAYAN), hereby acknowledge and hail the valuable contributions of
Comrade Antonio Zumel in advancing the national democratic revolutionary
struggle of the Filipino people. We see him as an example for emulation by our
activists by his dedication, courage, perseverance and selflessness in the
course of serving the people.
Long
live Comrade Antonio Zumel!
Long
live the Filipino People!
