Christians for National Liberation (CNL) was the largest organization within the leftist umbrella group, the National Democratic Front, which also included and was led by the Communist Party of the Philippines. Inspired by the social justice imperative of Vatican II and Latin American liberation theology, the CNL was founded by Roman Catholic priest Fr. Edicio de la Torre in response to the imposition of martial law by President Ferdinand Marcos and was supported by priests, nuns, and lay people. While members frequently denied affiliation with the Communist Party, priests took arms alongside communists against the Philippine military.
Sources:
Fox Butterfield, “Nuns and Priests Working with Communists Divide Church,” The New York Times, March 2, 1986.
Artemio R. Guillermo, Historical Dictionary of the Philippines (Lanham: Scarecrow Press, 2012), pp. 105-106.