As the US-Marcos regime intensifies its military operations in the countryside, the revolutionary movement continues to achieve more victories as it relentlessly defends itself and the masses against the ever-increasing terror unleashed by the state’s brutal and fascist machinery.
Aurora
In Central Luzon, a soldier from the 91st Infantry Battalion (IB) was wounded during a counterattack by the New People’s Army (NPA) on the afternoon of August 21 in Sitio Aguses, Barangay Matawe, Dingalan, Aurora. The red fighters successfully retreated following the engagement. Fascist troops of the 91st IB have been conducting focused and sustained attacks in their desperate effort to crush the people’s army in the region. This three-month military operation has committed significant state resources in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat the red fighters operating in the area. The event also refutes government claims that there are no more active guerrilla forces in the country.
The ongoing military operations have led to numerous human rights violations, including troops stealing food, raiding homes and schools, and harassing locals. These operations, along with recent joint US-Filipino Balikatan war games, have resulted in loss of livelihood, environmental damage, and social issues. The NPA-Aurora strongly believes these actions are part of a long-term plan to build a “Pacific Coast City” for US military use.
Mindoro
In Mindoro, NPA units successfully maneuvered to safety against a series of attacks from military troops. In Oriental Mindoro, an NPA unit successfully evacuated after a clash with military troops of the 4th IB on August 19 in Sitio Pagbok, Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro. The encounter happened only a few days after the NPA-Mindoro units’ successive active defense actions against the attacking 203rd IBde troopers in the town of Baco on August 9 and 12. The clash resulted in three soldiers killed and several others wounded. Local peasants and indigenous masses applauded the action.
On July 13, the NPA-Mindoro ambushed police officers in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, killing two. The NPA stated this action was a direct response to the government’s “terrorist campaign” and a refutation of claims that the island is nearing “insurgency-free” status. The tactical offensive is a response to the community’s clamor against the intensification of military and police operations, which are meant to secure large-scale mining projects that threaten the land and livelihoods of the community.
Albay
On August 21, the NPA (Santos Binamera Command) in Albay ambushed a 16-member army squad, killing at least three soldiers and wounding one in Barangay Palapas, Ligao City. The NPA reported that it detected the 49th IB troopers’ attempt to raid the unit’s temporary camp, took decisive action, and subsequently withdrew without any casualties, while accusing the military of concealing the true extent of its losses.
Negros
On July 11 in Sitio Harvey, Barangay Minapasok, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, the NPA (Roselyn Jean Pelle Command) executed Junsly Vallente, a member of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA), whom they identified as a bandit and intelligence agent for the Philippine military. The NPA stated that the operation was carried out due to Vallente’s various crimes against peasant masses, including a 2012 shooting spree, murder, and the killing of farmers’ livestock, which severely impacted local livelihoods.
The RPA is an armed group that splintered from the communist movement and later became state collaborators. The government’s recent amnesty offer to groups like the RPA-ABB is seen as absolving them of their crimes against the people.
On September 4, the NPA in South Central Negros ambushed a military and paramilitary unit, wounding three soldiers. The NPA spokesperson stated the attack was a response to over three months of combat operations that have sown terror in local communities, operations which were aided by collaborators.
Following the ambush, the military forces reportedly retaliated by firing their guns indiscriminately for nearly two hours, forcing hundreds of residents from three sitios to evacuate. The NPA condemns the military for its hypocrisy, as the same battalion returned the next day with the local government to distribute aid and conduct “peace dialogues.”
Panay
On July 19, the NPA in Central Panay reported repelling an attack by the 12th IB, stating that its unit successfully launched a counterattack against the military forces. The NPA refuted the military’s subsequent claims of victory as fabricated lies, specifically denying that any firearms or equipment were left behind and asserting that the photos released as evidence were staged.
The NPA further accused the 3rd ID of a pattern of deception, using these fabricated victories to justify their operations and seek a declaration of stable peace in Panay. These operations are accompanied by real human rights violations, including sowing terror in communities and disrupting the livelihoods of farmers by restricting their access to farms.
Bukidnon
On July 1, a mobile NPA unit in Bukidnon defended itself in a 15-minute clash with troopers of the 8th IB, resulting in the death of at least seven soldiers. The NPA reported that its unit successfully defended itself and maneuvered to safety during the 15-minute firefight.
In retaliation, the Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted artillery shelling over two days, an action which the Communist Party of the Philippines condemned for terrorizing local farmers and Lumad communities. The Party congratulated the NPA for its defense and called for increased exposure of the military’s violations of international humanitarian law.
The recent victories of the revolutionary movement in the countryside are a clear indication of a vibrant revolutionary movement, debunking Malacanang’s claim of a declining revolutionary movement. In a statement, the CCP stresses that these victories are clear evidence of the revolutionary movement’s solid presence in the countryside, contradicting President Marcos Jr.’s recent claim. An NPA spokesperson credited the success to the unit’s vigilance, training, and the crucial intelligence and support provided by the local masses.