Updates Philippines
Published: 20 February 2025

Area command units of the New People’s Army (NPA) in four different provinces in the Philippines recently engaged in battles in their respective areas without suffering any casualties.

On 11 February, the 203rd IBde of the armed forces of the Marcos regime attacked units of the NPA-Mindoro (Lucio de Guzman Command) in two towns, San Jose in Occidental Mindoro and Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, reported Ka Madaay Gasic, the spokesperson of the NPA-Mindoro. In the first incident, Red fighters were doing mass work among the indigenous people and farmers of San Jose when they learned of the approaching 68th IB of the enemy and thus were able to quickly conduct an active defense that injured two of the regime’s soldiers. The Red fighters were able to withdraw safely.

Less than an hour later, another unit of the NPA-Mindoro, in Mansalay, was attacked in a disguised operation by the Special Warfare Group (SWAG) of the 4th IB. The civilian clad SWAG operatives pretended they were NPA and deceived the villagers. The Red fighters seized the initiative and inflicted two casualties on the enemy.

On 8 February, in La Libertad, Negros Oriental, Red fighters of the NPA-Central Negros (Leonardo Panaligan Command) carried out a punishment operation against the plundering and destructive operation of a company owned by big comprador Limkaichong. The unit paralyzed a dump truck, a roller, and two backhoes used in the construction of a road for a mine and plantation. Damage was estimated at P20 million.

The spokesman of the unit, Ka JB Regalado, said the construction of the road will “pave the way for the operation of large mines, commercial reforestation under the National Greening Program, plantations, and other projects that will destroy the environment and drive the people out of the affected communities in the mountains.”

On February 17, the NPA-Rizal (Narciso Antazo Aramil Command) struck the fascist troops of the 80th IB in Barangay San Jose, Antipolo City. According to Macario Liwanag (Ka Karyo), spokesperson of the command, the offensive was a strike against the troops that are launching sustained focused military operations that are squandering public funds to torture the people and harm the area. One soldier was killed in the incident.

Ka Karyo said, for a long time the troops of the 80th IB in Rizal have been protecting the anti-people projects that have evicted many farmers and indigenous people in Antipolo City and other towns in Rizal.

Right after the last incident, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) commended the NPA Red fighters who carried out military action. “They are true people’s warriors who are dedicated to serve the people, defend their rights and protect the environment.”

The NPA’s actions are a just response to the people’s clamor for social and environmental justice. They are also a blow to the claims of the Marcos fascist regime and its armed forces that the country is now “insurgency free”.