On the 56th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) renewed its appeal for communist insurgents to surrender, emphasizing the government’s success in weakening the insurgency.
“Through decisive operations and a whole-of-nation approach, their capabilities have been significantly crippled, with only one weakened guerrilla front remaining,” AFP Chief-of-Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. stated on Thursday.
The AFP claimed the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), are struggling with a “leadership vacuum, shrinking membership, and diminished operational capabilities.”
Brawner urged remaining insurgents to lay down their arms, reunite with their families, and join efforts toward peace. He emphasized that the military, alongside other government agencies, is prepared to assist through reintegration programs.
Meanwhile, the CPP called on its members and the NPA to resist state efforts to dismantle their organization. In a statement, the group reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing revolutionary goals, recovering from setbacks, and frustrating military operations.
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) reported significant progress, with only one guerrilla front left, compared to 89 active fronts in 2018. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has supported reintegration efforts, granting amnesty to former rebels in November 2023 to encourage their return to lawful society.