CPP Philippines vs. NPA Philippines

Attribute	CPP Philippines	NPA Philippines
Ideology	Communism	Communism
Leadership	Jose Maria Sison	Varies
Formation	1968	1969
Goals	Establish a socialist state	Overthrow the government
Activities	Political organizing, armed struggle	Guerrilla warfare, attacks on military

Background

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People's Army (NPA) are two prominent organizations in the Philippines with a long history of insurgency and armed struggle against the government. The CPP was founded in 1968 by Jose Maria Sison, while the NPA was established in 1969 as its armed wing. Both organizations have been involved in various conflicts and have been designated as terrorist organizations by the Philippine government and other countries.

Goals and Ideology

The CPP's main goal is to establish a socialist state in the Philippines through armed revolution. It follows the principles of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and aims to overthrow the existing government and replace it with a communist regime. On the other hand, the NPA serves as the military arm of the CPP and is responsible for carrying out armed attacks against government forces and infrastructure. The NPA's ideology is rooted in Maoism and focuses on waging a protracted people's war to achieve its goals.

Organization and Structure

The CPP operates as an underground political organization with a centralized leadership structure. It has a Politburo that oversees the party's activities and decision-making processes. The NPA, on the other hand, functions as a guerrilla army with a decentralized command structure. It is divided into various regional commands that operate independently but are guided by the central leadership of the CPP. Both organizations have a hierarchical system of ranks and positions.

Activities and Tactics

The CPP engages in political organizing, propaganda, and mass mobilization to advance its revolutionary goals. It also participates in legal and parliamentary activities to gain support and influence within the government. The NPA, on the other hand, focuses on armed struggle and guerrilla warfare. It carries out ambushes, raids, and attacks against military and police targets, as well as conducts extortion and taxation in areas under its control.

Support and Recruitment

The CPP and NPA have a significant following among marginalized sectors of Philippine society, including farmers, workers, and indigenous communities. They attract supporters by addressing social issues such as poverty, inequality, and government corruption. Recruitment into the organizations is often done through ideological indoctrination, training, and exposure to the realities of armed conflict. Both organizations also rely on a network of sympathizers and front organizations to expand their influence.

Human Rights Violations

Both the CPP and NPA have been accused of committing human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and attacks on civilians. The Philippine government and various human rights organizations have documented cases of abuses perpetrated by members of the organizations. The CPP and NPA have denied these allegations and have accused the government of human rights violations as well. The issue of human rights remains a contentious issue in the conflict between the government and the insurgents.

Peace Talks and Ceasefires

Throughout their history, the CPP and NPA have engaged in peace talks with the Philippine government to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Several ceasefire agreements have been signed and broken over the years, with both sides accusing each other of violating the terms. The peace process has been marked by setbacks and challenges, including disagreements over the agenda, implementation of agreements, and trust-building measures. Despite these difficulties, efforts to find a lasting peace continue.

International Relations

The CPP and NPA have established links with other communist and leftist organizations around the world. They have received support and solidarity from foreign groups and governments sympathetic to their cause. The Philippine government has sought to counter these international connections by lobbying for the designation of the CPP and NPA as terrorist organizations and by cooperating with other countries to combat terrorism. The international dimension of the conflict adds complexity and challenges to efforts to resolve it.