Summary
Highlights
Philippine soldiers patrol dangerous terrain in search of fighters from the New People's Army (NPA), the world's oldest communist guerrilla group, which has been trying to overthrow the government since 1969. At its peak in the 1980s, the movement boasted 25,000 fighters, recruiting from the poorest segments of society. Soldiers patrolling face constant threats of ambushes and mines and struggle to distinguish insurgents from civilians.
Since 2023, the Philippine Army has offered amnesties to encourage insurgents to surrender. One former guerrilla, after 10 years with the movement, criticized the rebels' use of extortion to fund operations, demanding large sums from construction projects and threatening violence if not paid. Rebels who surrender are seen as traitors and face threats; one woman survived three assassination attempts. Despite these dangers, over 30,000 guerrillas and sympathizers have surrendered since 2016, as the group faces problems with funding, infighting, and recruitment, with fighter numbers now reduced to 2,000.
Lieutenant Angelica Clarisan engages with villagers in a former communist stronghold, warning them against rebel recruitment. The government has invested in infrastructure like roads and schools, and built military bases to promote development and isolate insurgents. However, the army is consistently accused of human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial executions. Journalists investigating these accusations are often labeled as communist terrorists under the 2020 anti-terrorism law, facing surveillance, physical violence, imprisonment, and assassination.
Communism is deemed a serious threat in the conservative Catholic country. A former insurgent, speaking from a secret location, notes that the rebels are discreet and struggling, unable to compete with the government's military power. Life in the jungle has become hard, with hunger and constant danger. He emphasizes the freedom found away from the rebellion. While guerrillas remain active in some provinces, their days are believed to be numbered. The Philippine government aims to defeat the insurgents within three years by May 2025, hoping to end a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.