APSN | Popular Philippine communist rebel is dead

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Popular Philippine communist rebel is dead

Associated Press - October 9, 2011

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Jim Gomez, Manila, Philippines – A popular Mao cap-wearing Filipino guerrilla, who gave a voice and face to one of Asia's longest-running Marxist insurgencies as its spokesman with a common-folk touch, has died of a heart attack, his comrades said Sunday. He was 64.

The outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines said Gregorio "Comrade Roger" Rosal died in a guerrilla zone in the country's north on June 22, but delayed the public announcement of his death until his daughters were notified. Reaching them was difficult because of intense military operations.

The communist party and its armed wing, the New People's Army, mourned Rosal's death in a statement, saying "his life of service to the revolution will serve as an inspiration to the people to carry forward their revolutionary struggles."

All Maoist guerrillas will pay a tribute with gun salutes on Oct. 15, the party said.

"He was the effective voice of the revolution," Netherlands-based rebel leader Luis Jalandoni told The Associated Press by telephone. "He was so loved by the masses and members of the media. He was always easy to reach for interviews."

While it hunted Rosal for years, the 120,000-strong military offered its condolences to Rosal's family Sunday, saying it once offered medical help when news of his failing health spread. Rosal turned down the offer.