Insurgency: NDFP 52nd Founding Anniversary

April 24th, 2025 was the 52nd founding anniversary of the National Democratic Front. The PNP was on alert for any attacks.

https://manilastandard.net/news/national/314582766/pnp-on-alert-for-cpp-npa-52nd-founding-anniversary.html

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on alert nationwide for the 52nd anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) on Thursday.

According to the PNP, they will not allow the holdout rebels to sow chaos and fear in the community and dislodge preparations for the upcoming May 2025 polls.

The government reportedly helped many former rebels by providing them with livelihoods and plots of land so that they can start a new life.

Currently, according to the PNP, the rebel forces nationwide have been decimated and the remaining ones will be dismantled by the end of 2025.

The PNP warned that severe punishment may be imposed to anyone caught supporting the terrorist group.

No attacks occurred. Note that the PNP says the remaining rebel forces will be dismantled by the end of 2025. We shall see. 

The NDFP released several statements regarding this anniversary. The first one says the NDFP has grown stronger "in the face of relentless fascist attacks."

https://ndfp.info/revolutionary-salute-to-the-national-democratic-front-of-the-philippines-on-its-52nd-founding-anniversary/

To the Comrades of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines,

On the occasion of the 52nd founding anniversary of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), we extend our most militant and heartfelt revolutionary salutations. This anniversary is not merely a date to be marked on the calendar of the Philippine revolution, it is a reminder to all revolutionary and progressive forces across the globe of the resilience, creativity, and undying commitment of the Filipino masses and their revolutionary vanguard to the cause of national liberation, people’s democracy, and socialism.

In the face of relentless fascist attacks by the reactionary US-Marcos-Duterte regime, the NDFP has persisted and grown stronger, guiding the masses through the storms of counterrevolution and showing the world how Marxism-Leninism-Maoism is not merely a theory, but a weapon, sharp and alive in the hands of the oppressed. Despite state terror, fake surrenders, red-tagging, and the brutal killings of revolutionaries, the NDFP remains rooted in the people’s struggle and continues to deepen its ties to the masses.

Comrades, the world is once again pregnant with contradictions. The old-world order is crumbling under the weight of its own crisis. Imperialist blocs led by the US, China, Russia the EU, and their regional lackeys are waging war for markets, resources, and strategic control, dragging humanity closer to inter-imperialist conflict and barbarism. The broad masses of workers, peasants, and oppressed nations are being crushed under the intensifying burdens of exploitation, inflation, state repression, and climate collapse.

In this context, the Philippine revolution stands as a burning torch in the darkness, school of revolution for the oppressed masses of the world. The persistence of protracted people’s war in the Philippines is not only a national struggle, but an international contribution to the world proletarian revolution. We draw inspiration from your experience, your sacrifices, and your clarity in navigating the complex contradictions of the present era.

They also portray the Philippine revolution as a "revolution for the oppressed masses of the world." Does anyone else think that? Are there revolutionaries around the world looking to the Philippines "as a burning torch in the darkness?"

The Secretary General of the NDFP also released a statement. He says "the NDFP must establish, expand, and strengthen the revolutionary mass organizations both in the cities and in the countryside." Then he lays out a 12-point program. 

https://ndfp.info/establish-expand-and-strengthen-the-revolutionary-mass-organizations-to-advance-the-national-democratic-revolution/

Elias Dipasupil, Secretary General, National Democratic Front of the Philippines

Today, we raise the red flags of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and its 18 allied organizations in celebration of its 52^ndanniversary. The NDFP salutes all the heroes and martyrs whose lives were offered to plant the seeds of a new people’s democratic republic by waging the national democratic revolution led by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its army, the New People’s Army.

This is also an occasion to recognize the steady gains of the rectification movement since it was launched in 2023 to further advance the national democratic revolution amid the US-Marcos Jr regime’s brutal enemy attacks and treachery and chicanery. But no amount of fascist attacks and deceit (such as the endless offer of amnesty) against the revolutionary movement can deter the resolve of the revolutionaries and the Red fighters to rectify weaknesses and errors and carry forward the revolution to victory and end the sufferings of the Filipino people.

The NDFP as a united front organization is for revolutionary armed struggle. While recognizing the importance of other forms of struggle, the NDFP upholds the primacy of armed struggle to dismantle the rotten semicolonial and semifeudal system while gradually and steadily creating the new system through the development of the revolutionary organs of power in the countryside. We build a future that is bright as we destroy the decayed and corrupt system.

Since it was established 52 years ago, the NDFP allied organizations did not only provide political, material, and technical support to the New People’s Army but have deployed Red fighters, some even became commanders. The NPA is the mass organization that carries out the armed struggle. It also implements agrarian revolution and mass base building towards establishing organs of political power, the seed of the people’s democratic republic. While still in struggle, these organs of political power already flesh out and execute, in various levels, components of the NDFP 12-point program such as the minimum program for land reform, education and health services, environmental protection, justice system, among others.

These organs of political power are represented by the NDFP in establishing proto-diplomatic relations with states and other international agencies and in peace negotiations with the reactionary government of the Republic of the Philippines.

It is from this perspective that the NDFP must establish, expand, and strengthen the revolutionary mass organizations both in the cities and in the countryside. With the current global and national crisis, the mass organizations are indespensable in the Filipino people’s fight against oppression and exploitation and in building a society they so deserve, one that serves their interests.

When the CPP launched the rectification movement, it identified the weakness in the united front work as characterized by the neglect of building the underground revolutionary movement that resulted from the errors of legalism and reformism. It also noted that since the launch of the rectification movement in 2023, there are now steady actions to correct this weakness by rebuilding the underground revolutionary organizations allied with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines—among the youth, workers, peasants, women, teachers, health workers, and others.

But the current crisis calls for more. Thus, this year’s celebration is also a challenge to the NDFP and its allied organizations to strive more diligently to correct these errors and weaknesses. Keeping in mind that the NDFP and its allied organizations is a united front for armed struggle, let us undertake the following tasks more vigorously:

• Promote and support the revolutionary armed struggle in the countryside.
• Launch and sustain the Cherish the People’s Army campaign, including the enlistment campaign for Red fighters for the New People’s Army.
• Arouse, organize, and recruit the advanced section of the masses to build and rebuild the underground movement and the revolutionary mass organizations.
• Popularize the NDFP 12-point program.

1. Unite the people for the overthrow of the semicolonial and semifeudal system through a people’s war and for the completion of the national democratic revolution.

2. Establish a People’s Democratic Republic and a democratic coalition government.

3. Build the people‘s army and a people’s defense system.

4. Uphold and promote the people’s democratic rights.

5. Terminate all unequal relations with the United States and other foreign entities.

6. Implement genuine agrarian reform, promote agricultural cooperation, raise rural production and employment through modernization of agriculture and rural industrialization and ensure agricultural sustainability.

7. Break the US–big comprador–landlord dominance over the economy, carry out national industrialization and build an independent and self-reliant economy.

8. Adopt a comprehensive and progressive social policy.

9. Promote a national and progressive people’s culture.

10. Uphold the rights of the Bangsa Moro and the Cordillera peoples and other indigenous peoples to self-determination and democracy.

11. Advance the revolutionary emancipation of women in all spheres.

12. Adopt an active, independent and peaceful foreign policy.

The Filipino people deserves nothing but freedom from oppression and exploitation. They deserve a just, humane and progressive society and a government that truly serves their dreams and aspirations. And the only means to achieve this is to advance the national democratic revolution to victory.

The AFP, PNP, and NTF-ELCAC would certainly dismiss that statement as empty bombast. They claim the CPP-NPA has been strategically defeated and will soon be no more. That does not mean the AFP has let its guard down. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1248757

The 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) of the Philippine Army is focusing its attention on two areas in Negros Oriental that are categorized as “red election hotspots”.

Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga, 62IB commanding officer, told the Philippine News Agency on Friday that Guihulngan City and La Libertad town are tagged under the highest category of watchlist areas of concern due to the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA).

“We are not letting our guard down even if the NPA is no longer a serious threat as we are dealing with remnants of the dismantled Central Negros 1 guerilla front, whose also operates in some parts of Negros Occidental,” Ilanga said.

“Alongside the Philippine National Police, we are continuing security operations to ensure that the conduct of the elections in these areas will proceed smoothly.”

A shooting incident involving an elected official in Guihulngan City and the burning of heavy equipment in La Libertad, followed by an encounter, allegedly perpetrated by the NPA, were cited earlier as the reasons for placing these areas under the red category.

Ilanga, however, said there have been no reports of atrocities related to the elections in which the NPA is involved.

Additionally, authorities have not received complaints or reports of alleged permit-to-campaign fees being collected by the insurgents from poll bets as they did in the past.

Ilanga assured that government forces are ready for any eventuality. He said their troops will serve during the elections and at the same time undertake counter-insurgency operations.

Negros Oriental also has one area listed under the "orange" category and 22 others under the "yellow" category of election “hotspots”.

Code yellow means an area has history of political unrest; orange indicates the presence of armed groups; while red is for those deemed as critical areas.

Despite claiming "the NPA is no longer a serious threat" the AFP is still battling NPA recruitment. Two former rebels who joined when they were minors are assisting them.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1248376

Recruited as minors, former rebels Ferning Canhatan and Guillera Gozon are now actively participating in the Philippine Army’s effort to save the youth from the deception of the New People’s Army (NPA).

At 16, Canhatan, also known as alias Dods, was recruited as a warrior of the NPA in Agusan del Sur and later assigned to the southern part of Leyte province as a vice squad leader. He was a member of the NPA for 12 years.

“We faced a lot of difficulties in the mountain, such as starvation, fatigue, and longing for family. Now, I am helping the military to inform the youth not to join the rebellion,” said Canhatan, who is now 29, in an interview Monday at the 14th Infantry Battalion headquarters.

Gozon, also known as alias Eva, 22, Canhatan’s common-law wife, was just 13 when convinced by her rebel parents in 2017 to join the armed struggle in Hindang, Leyte. She was part of the armed rebellion for seven years.

“When I was there, there were two minors recruited by the NPA. We’re both girls. I was so innocent, and I was not even aware that we were in the mountain to fight government forces,” Gozon said.

The lack of support from residents in previously influenced communities caused hunger and fatigue, prompting the couple to escape from lairs set up by the island committee —Levox of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee based in Leyte Island.

In the southern part of Leyte province, 30 of them have already surrendered, which caused a leadership vacuum, according to Gozon.

“Now that we are on the side of the government, we don’t want to see anyone, especially minors, join the NPA,” she added.

After surrendering, Bugoy and Maymay received PHP30,000 each under the enhanced comprehensive livelihood integration program. They also received groceries from the local government unit of Mahaplag, Leyte, in December 2024.

Lt. Col. Edgar Gabia, commander of the Army’s 14th Infantry Battalion, said the surrender of these rebels is proof that peaceful solutions are possible through cooperation and government support.

"The former rebels also help in our campaign. They volunteer to go to communities to give testimony and encourage other rebels to surrender," he said.

Gabia said the Philippine Army is counting on the participation of former rebels for the surrender of the remaining active NPA members hiding in the mountains of Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces.

He also urged the NPA remnants to surrender and not wait to be killed during clashes.

But the AFP has claimed the NPA is leaderless and unable to recruit. No word on how these former rebels will prevent recruitment into the NPA.

5 rebels and 13 supporters surrendered during Holy Week. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1248477

Five communist rebels surrendered to the government while 13 supporters severed their ties with the underground movement in Central Luzon during the Holy Week, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 (Central Luzon) said on Tuesday.

"The peaceful surrender of CTG (communist terrorist group) members and the withdrawal of support (of) their sympathizers are clear indicators that our localized peace engagements are gaining traction," PRO-3 Director Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said in a statement.

The PRO-3 said the "wave of defections" occurred in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Bataan, and Olongapo City from April 13 to 20, prompted by "intensified security operations and community-based peace engagements."

"We are opening doors for those who have been deceived by violent ideologies to return to society and rebuild their lives," Fajardo said.

During the same period, law enforcement units in the region also recovered and confiscated a cache of weapons, including eight firearms and two explosive devices.

These developments significantly hamper the operational capabilities of the remnants of the communist group in the region, the PRO-3 said, reiterating its commitment to sustained law enforcement, meaningful dialogues, and inclusive peace-building efforts.

They call it a wave but 18 isn't much espeically if there aren't many rebels left to being with. 

A rebel who burned a church in 2020 was recently caught. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/24/cidg-nabs-rebel-tagged-in-burning-a-church-in-iligan-city-200-more-arrested-during-holy-week

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a communist rebel tagged in the burning of a church Iligan City in 2020 during a follow-up operation in Talakag town of Bukidnon.

CIDG director Maj. Gen, Nicolas Torre III said alias Christopher was collared after his men monitored his presence in Barangay Tikalaan in Talakag town on April 20.

The arrested suspect, according to Torre, is facing violation of Republic Act 9851 (The Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity) for alleged burning of church and houses in 2020. 

The arrested suspect is a member of the Hospital Squad under Sub Regional Committee 5, Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRC-5, NCMRC). He is listed as number 5 most wanted person in Northern Mindanao.

Torre said the arrested suspect was among the fleeing communist rebels who burned the Lord Assembly Church on May 28, 2020 in an attempt to divert the attention of the pursuing soldiers.

The arrested communist rebel was among the more than 200 wanted persons who were arrested in the week-long operation across the country during the Holy Week. 

If he had surrendered would he have been able to avail of E-CLIP benefits?