OVERVIEW

Communist Party of the Philippines flag

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), seek to overthrow the Philippine Government, establish a communist state, and expel US influence from the Philippines. The CPP was founded in 1968, and the NPA was formed in 1969. Since 1971, the CPP/NPA has primarily conducted attacks against the Philippine Government, resulting in about 40,000 deaths of civilians, Philippine security forces, and CPP/NPA group members. The CCP/NPA has historically attacked US personnel and interests in the Philippines, including killing US military personnel, but it has not attacked US citizens or facilities since 2001.

The CPP/NPA exploits economic and social disparities in the Philippines to recruit members, focusing on issues such as environmental degradation, indigenous rights, and equitable land distribution. The group primarily raises funds through theft and extortion of local businesses and politicians. The CPP/NPA’s personnel strength has declined since its peak of approximately 25,000 armed members in the 1980s.

OPERATING AREAS
Based in the Philippines; operates primarily in rural areas in central and southern Luzon, Palawan, the Visayas, and eastern and northwestern Mindanao; maintains cells in Manila and other metropolitan areas.

MEMBERS
Between 3,000 and 4,000

TACTICS AND TARGETS
The CPP/NPA uses guerrilla tactics, such as ambushes, bombings, assassinations, extortion, and kidnappings to target Philippine military and security forces; government officials and facilities; local infrastructure, including power facilities, telecommunication towers, bridges, plantations, and mines; and foreign enterprises. CPP/NPA fighters use small arms, light weapons, grenades, improvised explosive devices, and landmines.

FOREIGN TERRORIST GROUP DESIGNATION
The US State Department designated CPP/NPA as a foreign terrorist organization on 9 August 2002. The United States designated founder and leader Jose Maria Sison as a terrorist on 12 August 2002.

KEY LEADERS

NOTABLE ATTACKS