CPP-NPA anniversary uneventful — Army

The Philippine Army has not monitored any untoward incidents related to the 56th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Thursday.

Still, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the military remained on heightened alert to ensure the safety of communities amid security threats posed by the CPP’s armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

“We have not recorded any incidents. However, our troops will remain on alert to ensure peaceful communities,” Dema-ala told DAILY TRIBUNE in a text message.

Dema-ala was referring to the remaining NPA guerrilla front, the Kilusang Larangan Gerilya 1 (KLG1), SRC2, Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC), operating in Camarines Sur.

“Generally peaceful on the ground. But all our troops remain on alert and we continue our internal security operations,” he said.

For the entire year, the Philippine Army conducted a total of 276 focused military operations against communist rebels, resulting in the recovery of 1,141 firearms and the neutralization of 876 local terrorist members

— including those who were killed in action, captured individuals, and those who surrendered to the military.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police spokesperson P/Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said they had not monitored any “atrocities committed” by communist groups.

In its anniversary statement on 26 December, the CPP urged its revolutionary forces to “deepen and broaden” their rectification movement and “persevere in advancing the people’s democratic revolution.”