Country Report on Terrorism 2024 - Chapter 4 - Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA)

Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army

Aka:  CPP/NPA; Communist Party of the Philippines; CPP; New People’s Army; NPA; NPP/CPP.

Description:  The Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA) was designated as an FTO on August 9, 2002.  The military wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – the NPA – was a Maoist group formed in 1969 to overthrow the government through protracted guerrilla warfare.  Although primarily a rural-based guerrilla group, the CPP/NPA had an active urban infrastructure to support its terrorist activities and, at times, had used city-based assassination squads.  CPP/NPA founder Jose Maria Sison, who reportedly directed CPP/NPA activity from the Netherlands, died in a hospital in Utrecht in 2022.

Activities:  The CPP/NPA did not claim responsibility for any attacks in 2024.

Strength:  The CPP/NPA was estimated to have as few as 1,500 fighters.

Location/Area of Operation:  The Philippines.

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

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