Filemon Lagman, Filipino activist (d. 2001)

Filemon Castelar Lagman, revered by many as Ka Popoy, was a towering figure in the Philippine revolutionary socialist movement and a staunch advocate for workers' rights. Born on March 17, 1953, his life was dedicated to the struggle for social justice, fundamentally shaped by the principles of Marxism-Leninism. A charismatic and principled workers' leader in the Philippines, Ka Popoy left an indelible mark on the nation's political landscape before his untimely death on February 6, 2001.

A Formative Revolutionary in the Midst of Turmoil

Ka Popoy's journey into revolutionary work began during the tumultuous period of the 1970s, an era defined by intense social unrest and the looming shadow of martial law under the Marcos dictatorship. As a young man, he was an active member of the Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan (SDK), the Democratic Association of the Youth, a prominent student organization during the First Quarter Storm – a series of militant protests that shook the country. After just a year of studies at the prestigious University of the Philippines, Ka Popoy made the profound decision to forgo his academic pursuits and dedicate himself entirely to full-time organizing work. He went underground, immersing himself in the daily lives of factory workers and the urban poor communities across the northern sector of Metro Manila, building a strong base for the revolutionary movement.

His dedication and strategic acumen quickly propelled him through the ranks of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). By the mid-1970s, Ka Popoy was elected Secretary of the powerful Manila-Rizal Regional Party Committee. It was in this capacity that he spearheaded a broad formation that audaciously challenged the Marcos regime during the 1978 Batasan Pambansa elections. This move, however, drew the ire of the CPP's Central Committee, which had called for a boycott and a focus on armed struggle in the countryside. Ka Popoy and his regional committee were admonished for their advocacy of electoral participation, reflecting early ideological and strategic differences within the Party. He would only return to the helm of the Manila-Rizal Regional Party Committee after the historic EDSA uprising of 1986, which toppled Marcos. Despite the earlier friction with the central leadership, Ka Popoy never wavered in his commitment, striving even harder to strengthen revolutionary work within the capital city, understanding its crucial role in national change.

Ideological Rifts and the Birth of New Movements

The late 1980s and early 1990s saw significant internal debates within the Philippine Left, leading to a major re-assessment of strategy and ideology. In 1991, Ka Popoy famously broke away from the Communist Party of the Philippines, driven by his nuanced critiques of the Party’s long-held principles and practices. This decisive split led him to co-found two pivotal organizations: the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), a dynamic workers' alliance, and Sanlakas, a multi-sectoral group that broadened the scope of activism beyond just labor. Following these formations, he further led the establishment of the Partido ng Manggagawang Pilipino (PMP), or the Filipino Workers' Party, an underground revolutionary socialist party that continued his vision. After his death, the PMP would merge with other like-minded groups, including the Sosyalistang Partido ng Paggawa (Socialist Party of Labor) and the Partido para sa Proletaryong Demokrasya (Party for Proletarian Democracy), solidifying a distinct political current.

Ka Popoy was not merely an organizer; he was also a profound theoretician. He is singularly recognized as the only Party leader during those internal struggles to articulate the most comprehensive and in-depth critiques against the fundamental Party documents of the CPP-NPA. These critical analyses are now widely known as his Counter-Thesis 1 and Counter-Thesis 2. Counter-Thesis 1 dissected the Party's foundational texts, with essays such as "PSR: A Semi-feudal Alibi for Protracted War," "PPDR: Class Line vs. Mass Line," and "PPW: A New-Type Revolution of the Wrong Type," challenging the very premises of their protracted people's war strategy. Counter-Thesis 2 focused on "On the Reorientation of the Party Work and the Reorganization of the Party Machinery," advocating for significant structural and operational changes. These works cemented his legacy as a critical thinker who dared to question the established orthodoxy, ultimately aiming for a more effective and relevant revolutionary path for the Philippines.

A Tragic End: Assassination and Unanswered Questions

The vibrant and impactful life of Filemon Castelar Lagman was tragically cut short on February 6, 2001. Ka Popoy was shot dead at the Bahay ng Alumni, a prominent venue within the University of the Philippines Diliman campus in Quezon City. His brutal assassination sent shockwaves through the country, particularly within progressive circles. Initial speculations surrounding his death pointed fingers at a pro-Estrada faction of the military, theorizing that the act was intended to destabilize the newly formed Arroyo government. However, further police investigation uncovered a different, albeit equally complex, lead: that the assassins and masterminds might have emerged from the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), another "rejectionist" faction that had also split from the CPP.

Despite these leads, the perpetrators of Ka Popoy's murder have never been apprehended, leaving a painful void and a sense of enduring injustice. As of 2008, the case remained unsolved. In July 2007, the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office made the difficult decision to drop the case against eight suspected communist assassins, citing the inability of crucial witnesses to attend the preliminary investigations. To this day, the true masterminds behind the killing of this influential revolutionary socialist and workers' leader remain elusive, a stark reminder of the often-perilous path taken by those who challenge established powers in the Philippines.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ka Popoy

Who was Filemon Castelar Lagman?

Filemon Castelar Lagman, widely known as Ka Popoy, was a prominent Filipino revolutionary socialist and a dedicated workers' leader. He was a key figure in the Philippine Left, known for his ideological contributions and his role in forming new progressive organizations.

What was Ka Popoy's ideology?

Ka Popoy adhered to the principles of Marxism-Leninism, which guided his vision for social change and his commitment to empowering the working class in the Philippines.

What significant organizations did he help establish?

After his split from the Communist Party of the Philippines in 1991, Ka Popoy was instrumental in forming the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), the multi-sectoral group Sanlakas, and the underground Partido ng Manggagawang Pilipino (PMP).

When did Ka Popoy become active in the revolutionary movement?

He became actively involved during the 1970s, notably as a member of the Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan (SDK) during the First Quarter Storm, and later went underground to organize workers and urban poor communities.

What are his "Counter-Thesis" works?

His Counter-Thesis 1 and Counter-Thesis 2 are comprehensive and in-depth critiques of the basic Party documents of the CPP-NPA. These works challenged the Party's established strategies and proposed new directions for revolutionary work.

How did Ka Popoy die?

Ka Popoy was tragically assassinated, shot dead on February 6, 2001, at the Bahay ng Alumni at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City. The perpetrators have never been officially apprehended.