Columnist Nelson Navarro writes 30

MANILA, Philippines — Veteran opinion columnist, author and former student activist Nelson Navarro passed away on Sunday morning. He was 71.

Navarro’s friends and former colleagues took to social media to express grief at his passing.

“Sad news. Talented writer and witty Nelson Navarro just passed away this morning, he was rushed to Makati Medical Center 8 a.m.,” said columnist and Kamuning Bakery owner Wilson Flores on Facebook.

TV host Jules Guiang thanked Navarro on Twitter for sharing his experience as an activist during martial law under the Marcos regime.

“Brod Nelson Navarro, thanks for all your wisdom. For your teachings about your struggles during martial law as an activist, to your stories of travels around the world, and to your endless support in everything that we your junior brods do,” Guiang said.

Lifestyle editor Arnel Patawaran, who described Navarro as a veteran journalist, writer and political activist during the 1970s First Quarter Storm, last met Navarro at the recent general assembly organized by National Artist F. Sionil Jose in preparation for the PEN (poets, essayists, novelists) International Congress.

“He was supposed to give a keynote speech at the opening of the international congress, the first in Southeast Asia for the 98-year-old writers fellowship that has among its illustrious members the likes of H.G. Wells, Mario Vargas Llosa and Robert Frost. Rest in peace, Nelson. Your life has served us well,” Patawaran said.

Navarro joined the First Quarter Storm protests against the Marcos regime and was implicated in the August 1971 Plaza Miranda bombing.

He was charged with subversion during a student trip to the United States.

He decided to continue his studies, eventually graduating in 1976 with a master’s degree in international affairs at Columbia University.

He returned to the Philippines in 1986 after being granted political asylum.

Navarro was a columnist for several broadsheets such as the Malaya, Manila Standard and the Philippine Star.