News from the People’s War in the Philippines

In the Philippines, a country that occupies a strategic position in the Pacific, a long-term war is being waged between the Maoist guerrillas, called the New People’s Army, and the state armed forces and paramilitary units. We can safely say that the NPA currently represents one of the most capable guerrilla armies in the entire Pacific and beyond. This war is not only fought in the jungles and rural areas, but is only one form of a wider class conflict that is (successfully) led by the Communist Party of the Philippines. Meanwhile, in just a few days, there have been multiple clashes between the NPA and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) launched a successful attack on the positions of the 4th Infantry Battalion on the island of Mindoro on May 20, during which fighters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) suffered casualties. The attack followed a call from the local population to resist the terror carried out by AFP soldiers.

This battalion was deployed in that zone as early as 2022, after which it began with coercion, kidnapping, theft and rape, which primarily targeted the local indigenous population.

Clashes continued on May 27 and 28, when Maoist fighters carried out two actions that eliminated at least 4 AFP soldiers.

In another region, on the island of Negros, on May 21, there was a conflict between the 72nd Reconnaissance Company and fighters of the New People’s Army, during which the AFP also used combat helicopters, which after a low attack bombarded the positions of the NPA. In addition to helicopters, drones were also used, which brought general fear and panic to the local population, who were then forcibly evicted from the area.