José Ma. Sison, the University of the Philippines professor who founded the Communist Party of the Philippines CPP) in 1968, died on 16 December at age 83, CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena announced in a statement.

Valbuena said Sison, who had been living in exile in The Netherlands, passed away after being confined in a hospital in Utrecht for the past two weeks.

To quote the statement in full:

"The greatest Filipino of the past century bereaved us peacefully last night.

"Prof. Jose Ma. Sison, founding chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines, passed away at around 8:40 p.m. (Philippine time) after two weeks confinement in a hospital in Utrecht, The Netherlands. He was 83.

"The Filipino proletariat and toiling people grieve the death of their teacher and guiding light.

"The entire Communist Party of the Philippines gives the highest possible tribute to its founding chairman, great Marxist-Leninist-Maoist thinker, patriot, internationalist and revolutionary leader.

"Even as we mourn, we vow continue to give all our strength and determination to carry the revolution forward guided by the memory and teachings of the people's beloved Ka Joma.

"Let the immortal revolutionary spirit of Ka Joma live on!"