Jose Maria 'Joma' Sison, the founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has passed away at the age of 83.

In a statement, the CPP said Sison died after two weeks of confinement in a hospital located in Utrecht, The Netherlands, at around 8:40 PM (Philippine time) on December 16.

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

“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,” it added.

Sison has lived in self-imposed exile in Europe ever since peace talks with the government bogged down in 1987.

"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,” the statement read.

Sison founded the CPP on Dec. 26, 1968.