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Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army Embolden Barbarism Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) has continued its violent activities in the Visayas regions, perpetrating atrocities that have resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and two injuries in a span of just two weeks. Despite the crisis, the CPP-NPA has shown no signs of abating its armed struggle, instead choosing to extort from the masses, recruit people to go against the government, and plan tactical offensives against government forces and vital installations. As government services reach the people, the CPP-NPA's propaganda efforts are expected to decline, but the group's commitment to violence remains unwavering.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CPP-NPA has engaged in five encounters with government troops in the Visayas regions in April, resulting in the deaths of four soldiers and the injury of two others.
  • The group's activities have been characterized as barbarism, with Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya describing their actions as "worse than the COVID-19 pandemic."
  • The CPP-NPA continues to extort from the masses, recruit people to go against the government, and plan tactical offensives against government forces and vital installations.
  • The group's activities have been reported in provinces such as Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Bohol, with a focus on areas with reports of extortion and recruitment activities.
  • The Philippine Army, along with other government agencies, is committed to showcasing the true service deserved by the people and reducing the CPP-NPA's propaganda efforts to "baseless lies."
  • The CPP-NPA has been listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Statistics:

  • Five encounters between the CPP-NPA and government troops took place in the Visayas regions in April 2023.
  • Four soldiers were killed and two injured in the encounters.
  • The CPP-NPA has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government.
  • The group has been listed as a terrorist organization by seven countries, including the Philippines.

Sources:

  • Manila, April 30 -- The series of atrocities by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in the Visayas regions manifest its barbarism amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis, an Army official said on Thursday.
  • "These terrorists are worse than the Covid-19 pandemic. (Even in) crisis, they continue with their antagonism rather than help people in need," said Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, which covers the provinces in Western and Central Visayas.
  • Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Philippines News Agency.

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