Country Reports on Terrorism 2013 - Foreign Terrorist Organizations: Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army

aka CPP/NPA; Communist Party of the Philippines; the CPP; New People's Army; the NPA

Description: The Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA) was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on August 9, 2002. The military wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People's Army (NPA), is a Maoist group formed in March 1969 with the aim of overthrowing the government through protracted guerrilla warfare. Jose Maria Sison, the Chairman of the CPP's Central Committee and the NPA's founder, reportedly directs CPP and NPA activity from the Netherlands, where he lives in self-imposed exile. Luis Jalandoni, a fellow Central Committee member and director of the CPP's overt political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF), also lives in the Netherlands and has become a Dutch citizen. Although primarily a rural-based guerrilla group, the NPA had an active urban infrastructure to support its terrorist activities and, at times, used city-based assassination squads.

Activities: The CPP/NPA primarily targeted Philippine security forces, government officials, local infrastructure, and businesses that refused to pay extortion, or "revolutionary taxes." The CPP/NPA charged politicians running for office in CPP/NPA-influenced areas for "campaign permits." In addition to its focus on Philippine governmental targets, the CPP/NPA has a history of attacking U.S. interests in the Philippines. In 1987, the CPP/NPA conducted direct actions against U.S. personnel and facilities, killing three American soldiers in four separate attacks in Angeles City. In 1989, the CPP/NPA issued a press statement claiming responsibility for the ambush and murder of Colonel James Nicholas Rowe, chief of the Ground Forces Division of the Joint U.S.-Military Advisory Group.

For many years, the CPP/NPA carried out killings, raids, acts of extortion, and other forms of violence. Throughout the past few years, the CPP/NPA's attacks and kidnappings have continued unabated. In May 2013, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported that from 2011 through the first quarter of 2013, 383 people, including 158 civilians, were killed in encounters between the CPP/NPA and government forces, and related atrocities. Some of those attacks include detonating a landmine improvised explosive device in Illuro Sur, Philippines that killed five and injured two police officers in 2011; and clashes between the CPP/NPA and the Philippine government that caused the displacement of approximately 700 individuals from their homes in 2012. In August 2013,elements of the CPP/NPA detonated a landmine targeting a group of volunteers on their way back to their village, killing one civilian and wounding another.

Strength: The Philippine government estimates there are 4,000 CPP/NPA members. In a statement shortly after observing its 45th anniversary in late December 2013, the CPP/NPA said it planned to increase its number of guerrilla fronts and fighters, as well as undertake more frequent tactical offensives and seize more weapons.

Location/Area of Operation: Rural Luzon, Visayas, and parts of northern and eastern Mindanao. There are also cells in Manila and other metropolitan centers.

Funding and External Aid: The CPP/NPA raises funds through extortion.

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