NEWS Anti Terrorism Act of 2020

(Manila) – The Philippines government is on the verge of enacting a counterterrorism

law that will eliminate critical legal protections and permit government overreach against
groups and individuals labeled terrorists, Human Rights Watch said today. The draft
Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate,
and President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to quickly sign the bill into law.

The draft law uses an overbroad definition of terrorism that can subject suspects,
apprehended without a warrant, to weeks of detention prior to an appearance before a
judge. A special body composed mainly of Cabinet officials appointed by the president
would provide the authority to enforce the law.

“The Anti-Terrorism Act is a human rights disaster in the making,” said Phil Robertson,
deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The law will open the door to arbitrary
arrests and long prison sentences for people or representatives of organizations that
have displeased the president.”

In a letter to Congress on June 1, 2020, Duterte certified that passage of the Anti-
Terrorism Act was urgent, short-circuiting a more thorough debate of the legislation and
prompting the House of Representatives to quickly adopt in full a version of the bill
passed by the Senate. The measure would replace the existing Human Security Act of
2007.

The draft law creates a new Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), consisting of members
appointed by the executive, that would permit the authorities to arrest people it
designates as “terrorists” without a judicial warrant and to detain them without charge
for up to 24 days before they must be presented before a judicial authority. Under
existing law, terrorism suspects must be brought before a judge in three days. Human
Rights Watch believes that anyone taken into custody should appear before a judge
within 48 hours.

Under the draft law, those convicted on the basis of overbroad definitions of “terrorism”
face up to life in prison without parole. An individual, as well as a group, commits
terrorism when he or she “engages in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily
injury to any person, or endangers a person's life,” or “causes extensive damage to
public property,” in order to “create an atmosphere or spread a message of fear.” While
the definition also includes aims often associated with terrorism, such as seeking to
“seriously destabilize or destroy the fundamental social, economic or political structures
of the country,” it does not require such intent. By this broad definition, starting a fight in
a bar could technically be classified as an act of terrorism, Human Rights Watch said.

The draft law also makes it a criminal offense to “incite others” to commit terrorism “by
means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners or other
representations tending to the same end.” The law, which does not define incitement,
poses a danger to freedom of the media and freedom of expression by providing an
open-ended basis for prosecuting speech. The Anti-Terrorism Council would be the sole
arbiter to determine whether a threat should be considered serious. Those convicted
would face up to 12 years in prison.

The bill exempts advocacy, work stoppages, and humanitarian action from the
definitions of terrorism, provided they are “not intended to cause death or serious
physical harm to a person, to endanger a person's life, or to create a serious risk to
public safety.” But the council’s powers to determine what constitutes a serious risk
undermines those protections.

The draft law also relaxes accountability for law enforcement agents who violate the
rights of suspects, particularly those in detention. Under existing law, law enforcement
agents who wrongfully detain suspects can be penalized 500,000 pesos (US$10,000)
for every day of wrongful detention. But this safeguard provision against government
misconduct is excised from the new version of the law.

The broad role of the Anti-Terrorism Council under the new law places people’s liberty
rights at considerable risk, Human Rights Watch said. It is an executive department-led
agency chaired by the president’s executive secretary and composed of presidential
appointees such as the secretary of national defense. The council’s secretariat will be
run by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), the government’s main
intelligence body composed primarily of security force officials.

NICA, along with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed
Conflict created by the Philippines National Security Council, has been carrying out a
long-running surveillance, harassment, and suppression campaign against activists and
groups that operate openly and legally. The agency has frequently accused these
groups and individuals of being front organizations, members, or supporters of the New
People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Over the years, the government has targeted hundreds of community activists, tribal
leaders, farmers, environmentalists, trade union leaders, and local journalists with
threats, harassment, and prosecution on suspicion of being communists or communist
sympathizers. The UN Human Rights Office in Geneva released on June 4 a report on
the Philippines saying that at least 248 activists have been killed between 2015 and
2019 in relation to their work. The military and police, and their inter-agency forms of
the NICA and the task force, have similarly accused leftist political groups of being front
organizations for the New People’s Army.

“The new counterterrorism law could have a horrific impact on basic civil liberties, due
process, and the rule of law amid the Philippines’ shrinking democratic space,”
Robertson said. “The Philippine people are about to face an Anti-Terrorism Council that
will be prosecutor, judge, jury, and jailer.”

PAF RESPOND TO THE PANDEMIC

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday announced that it has successfully
inoculated almost 15,000 front line personnel with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)
vaccines.

Citing latest data, the AFP said a total of 14,969 military front-liners have been vaccinated as of
Thursday.

It has also transported 39,000 vials of Sinovac's CoronaVac coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)
vaccines to various military treatment facilities (MTFs).

“The AFP’s delivery of the coronavirus vaccines is now in full gear in support of the government’s
vaccination campaign against the Covid-19 pandemic. With the ongoing distribution and inoculation
of our frontline personnel, we hope to contribute to the speedy restoration of normalcy in the
country,” AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said.

As of this report, 16 MTFs in Luzon were able to receive 30,600 vials of CoronaVac, of which 13,555
personnel were vaccinated.

Among the facilities in the National Capital Region were V. Luna Medical Center, Camp Aguinaldo
Station Hospital, Philippine Army General Hospital, Philippine Air Force General Hospital, and Manila
Naval Hospital.

Also from Luzon were Wallace Air Station Medical Infirmary and Naval Station Ogbenar Medical
Station in La Union; Fort Del Pilar Station Hospital in Benguet; Fort Magsaysay Station Hospital in
Nueva Ecija; Basa Air Base Hospital and Air Force City Hospital in Pampanga; Camp Aquino Station
Hospital in Tarlac; Camp Guillermo Nakar Station Hospital in Lucena; Cavite Naval Hospital; Camp
Elias Angeles Station Hospital in Camarines Sur; and Naval Station Julhasan Arasain Medical
Dispensary in Albay.

In the Visayas, 4,200 vials were delivered in five MTFs with 684 frontline personnel already
vaccinated.

The facilities were Camp Peralta Station Hospital in Capiz; Benito N. Ebuen Air Base Hospital, Camp
Lapu-Lapu Station Hospital and Naval Base Rafael Ramos Medical Dispensary in Cebu; and Camp
Vicente Lukban Station Hospital in Samar. Six MTFs in Mindanao received 4,200 doses with 730
personnel vaccinated.

The medical facilities were Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Misamis Oriental; Camp Panacan
Station Hospital in Davao Del Norte; Camp Manuel T. Yan Sr Station Hospital in Davao City; Camp
Gonzalo H. Siongco Station Hospital in Maguindanao; Camp Navarro General Hospital and Edwin
Andrews Air Base Hospital in Zamboanga Del Sur.

The AFP continues to utilize its land and air assets for the continuous delivery of vaccines to other
authorized vaccination facilities nationwide.

Just recently, the newly acquired Black Hawk helicopters were deployed to deliver 1,800 doses of
CoronaVac and 58 boxes of personal protective equipment to Basco, Batanes.

“The full cooperation of our members, especially our front line personnel is needed if we are to make
significant milestones in our fight against Covid-19. With them protected, our regular members too
can avail of the safe and effective vaccines to further reinforce our collective measures to protect
ourselves, our loved ones, and our country from the effects of the pandemic,” Sobejana said.  (PNA)

Qualities of a leader: 15 traits of effective leadership

Leading a team is no easy task. Just look at some of the most inspiring leaders, like
Arianna Huffington or Rosalind Brewer. Despite the hard work, there’s something so
inspiring about a leader that empowers their team.  
If you’re looking to expand your leadership style and skills, you’re in luck. By
demonstrating these important leadership qualities, you too can become an effective
leader that inspires change.
Good leaders are self-aware, communicate effectively, delegate work, encourage
strategic thinking, and motivate the team to do their very best. We’ve put together a list
of the 15 most effective qualities in a leader. By learning traits like strategic problem-
solving and active listening, you too can inspire those around you. 
1. Empowers team members
Empowering others should be one of your most important objectives as a leader. Your
job is to help your team learn and succeed. That starts with daily motivation, relationship
building, showing respect, and co-creating solutions to problems when they arise. 
Teams should feel empowered by your confidence in them and industry know-how.
When they’re empowered, great work can be created. You can foster team
empowerment by:
 Encouraging team members to take on new challenges
 Motivating your team to get back up when things go wrong 
 Being a kind but honest communicator
When your whole team is empowered, individuals can shine in their roles and contribute
their expertise to shared success.
When everyone on a team is empowered and trusted to manifest their full potential,
each person becomes capable of so much more, which makes the company capable of
so much more. Our experience is that, with the right team, distributed authority results in
organizations that are happier and more effective in accomplishing their most ambitious
missions.”
—Justin Rosenstein, co-Founder of Asana
2. Focuses on team development
Sharing your wealth of knowledge is just one of the many traits of a leader. A good
leader not only develops themself but also takes time out of their day to help others
grow. This could be in the form of trainings, lunch and learns, or even co-creating
solutions to problems with team members. 
Not only does it help those around you continue growing their careers, but it can teach
you things along the way as well. You can work on developing others by:
 Paying attention to what team members want to learn
 Using mistakes as teachable moments
 Giving constructive criticism even when it’s hard
The important thing to remember is to encourage and train others the way you wish you
had been in your career. 
3. Communicates effectively
Communication is a key piece of any successful team, especially as it pertains to great
leadership attributes. There is a fine line between too little and too much, but it’s always
better to err on the side of too much. A lack of communication can result in poor
performance or a lack of organizational clarity. 

Your communication also needs to be effective, meaning it’s delivered in a direct yet
personal way. This includes communicating about projects, as well as connecting as a
team. You can work on your communication skills by:
 Asking your team for feedback
 Listening before speaking
 Answering questions directly
 Tailoring your message to your audience
The best part: effective communication skills can easily be taught. So if you need a bit
of help, don’t be afraid to ask for it.
While working remotely, we’ve had to re-learn how to communicate in many ways.
Slack, Asana, and integrations between these tools has replaced or supplemented a lot
of in-person ways we used to communicate.”
—Casey James, Head of Creative Operations, JKR GlobalRead: Jones Knowles Ritchie
designs brands for scale, disruption, and good with Asana
4. Shows high emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the ability to control and express your emotions, as well as
handle interpersonal relationships. Why is that so important in the workplace? 
A leader is someone who inspires and guides rather than directs. This means it’s crucial
to be empathetic toward teammates so they feel comfortable and open around you. You
can work on your emotional intelligence by:
 Considering how your team members may be feeling
 Examining how your words or actions might affect others
 Holding space for how others may  feel about a situation 
 Responding versus reacting to a conflict or difficult situation  
When in doubt, it’s okay to ask teammates how they’re feeling. A simple “How are you
today?” can go a long way. 
5. Possesses problem-solving skills
Of all the competencies needed to be a leader, having problem-solving skills is one of
the most important. Team members will likely come to you about problems that need
solving. It’s your job to be prepared with strategic advice for whatever comes your way. 
This doesn’t mean you need to have all the answers all the time. Instead, you should be
prepared with resources that can empower your team to resolve the problem on their
own. You can work on your problem-solving skills by:
 Backing your advice up with data or an experience
 Asking questions that lead your teammates down the right path
 Providing multiple solutions for your team to try out 
 Being an active listener to gain clarity 
In short, you don’t need to have all of the answers. You just need to give guidance on
how your team can solve whatever issue they’re facing. Letting a decision linger for too
long is draining, so don’t let perfectionism keep you from providing input.
Read: Dustin Moskovitz shares his lessons on leadership
6. Respects others
Respect is something everyone deserves—whether you have 30 years of professional
experience or three. Showing others respect can help create a healthy team dynamic
based on mutual respect. 
While respect comes from a variety of sources, it’s important to begin by treating
everyone as equals. Additional ways you can work on showing respect are by:
 Communicating with team members as equals regardless of position
 Listen to someone else’s perspective even if you disagree
 Give recognition for a job well done
 Have a positive attitude
Good leaders know that positivity and respect go a long way. A good rule of thumb is to
acknowledge that everyone is a partner in what you’re trying to accomplish.
As a leader, I know it’s my responsibility to set the tone for our company culture.”
—Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder and CEO of Asana
7. Prioritizes personal development
Personal development is an important part of career growth no matter where you are in
your professional journey. Developing your skills can help you and your team improve
your organization in the long run. 
It’s also a good idea to have regular checkpoints for self-reflection. Where are you in
your personal development journey, and how does that connect to the good of your
organization? This can help both your personal and professional growth. You can
improve your personal development by:
 Attending industry-relevant conferences
 Taking courses
  Collaborating with other departments 
These actions will not only help you be a continuous learner and network with like-
minded individuals, but they also help you bring new ideas to the table that increase
your impact on your team and organization.
8. Encourages strategic thinking
Leaders are constantly looking for ways to keep their team and organization moving
forward. This can be anything from internal processes like roadmaps and technological
advancements to external factors like SWOT analyses and product offerings.

From brainstorming techniques to prioritizing project tasks, a good leader motivates

their team members to think strategically as well. You can work on encouraging
strategic thinking by:
 Listening to all ideas, whether you agree with them or not
 Hosting team brainstorming sessions
 Giving feedback that is backed by data 
 Letting your team carry out their ideas and learn from mistakes 
Thinking strategically is important for both your own self-awareness and your team, so
make it a priority to encourage new ideas.
It’s harder for remote teams to get recognized for their work—out of sight, out of mind,
unfortunately. Be really deliberate about finding opportunities for your remote teams to
present at company- or team-wide events (such as an all hands meeting) and make
sure you’re looking for ways to get them visibility via team awards or shoutouts.”
—Jessica Gilmartin, Head of Revenue Marketing, Asana
9. Actively listens
Being a leader means listening more than speaking. It’s your job to pay attention to
organizational problems and your team members’ thoughts in order to become a
changemaker. 
It’s also important to listen to those around you to show respect and empathy. You can
work on being a better listener by:
 Giving team members full attention when they come to you with input or
feedback
 Asking questions before speaking your mind
 Scheduling recurring times to check in with the team 
 Attending meetings that your team leads  
Being a listener is an important, yet often overlooked, part of being a leader. Finding the
right balance of inspiring with your words and inspiring with your ears is the difference
between a good and great leader. 
Read: How to build expert power (and become a better leader)
10. Delegates work
Most of us have had first-hand experience overcoming the challenge of delegating work.
There’s a fine line between letting your team take on new responsibilities and letting
them take all of the responsibility. 
A good leader knows that delegating work can help grow their team’s skill set and keep
projects moving forward. After all, you can’t do everything all of the time. Rely on your
team and they’ll do the same for you. 
You can work on better delegating work by:
 Asking your team members what projects they want to work on
 Providing an outline or brief if the project is complex 
 Giving honest feedback so work can be done well 
 Fostering time management skills to get work done on time
Not delegating enough is bad for both leaders and team members who could be
growing with more autonomy. Your first instinct might be to get involved when work isn’t
up to your standards, but it’s important to let your team members learn from their own
mistakes. 
I think of teamwork as a ship moving through an unlimited ice sheet. In this metaphor,
the ship is the team, the ice represents possible problems to be solved, and the
destination is always out of sight and unclear. It’s a manager’s job to figure out what to
do with the ice we break—where to put it, how it impacts the plan and team, etc. It’s a
leader’s job to clarify the ship’s direction and why it’s worth breaking all of this ice to get
there.”
—Scott Carleton, NY Site Lead, Asana
11. Takes accountability
While letting your team take ownership of projects is needed, that doesn’t mean you’ve
given up all accountability for their work. It’s important to support your team by taking
accountability when things don’t go as planned.  

The biggest thing to keep in mind is that all goals aren’t met all of the time. Not meeting
expectations provides opportunities for growth—both personal growth and for your
organization. 
You can work on taking accountability by:
 Taking action when goals aren’t met and providing solutions
 Explaining where expectations weren’t met and why
 Regularly monitoring the progress of key initiatives 
Taking accountability means owning up to things that could have gone better and
working to solve them with your team. Remember, we’re all in this together and a
growth mindset can help you and your team learn from mistakes. 
12. Shows deep passion for their work
The most successful leaders are the ones who are passionate about what they do. To
put it simply, an executive role doesn’t make you a leader. Your knowledge, passion,
and teamwork are what make you a leader. 
True leaders are the ones who motivate you to do better—even in the face of big
challenges. Leaders are the ones who pave the way for you to do great work. 
It’s this passion that sets a leader apart from an executive. Without it, it’s hard to be the
best leader you can be. Leaders who are passionate about their work are likely to
answer "yes" to the following questions:
 Are you excited about your role and responsibilities?
 Do you get energized about new projects?
 Does motivating people give you a sense of accomplishment?
 Are you working for something you believe in?
Reflecting on your passion for your work can help you connect with what truly energizes
you and be a better leader in the long run. Additionally, it’s important that everyone on
your team shares a common purpose and a clear understanding of why they’re doing
what they’re doing.
For me, a leader is someone who helps you understand the Big Picture. What's the
vision for the team, and how does that vision connect to a broader set of organizational
objectives and mission? A manager is the person who gives you the support and
mentorship needed to make an impact in your role and help make that Big Picture a
reality. Sometimes the same person will occupy both roles within a team. Sometimes it's
multiple people. But both roles are important for the success of any team.”
—Jenny Thai, Head of Content, Asana
13. Is a visionary
A visionary is a rather broadly defined term, though you tend to know it when you see it.
Visionaries are able to see the end result before anything tangible has been created.
This is why business owners and entrepreneurs tend to be visionaries. They can see a
good idea come to fruition before anything has been created. 
Though not everyone is a visionary, you can still practice visionary leadership to
motivate your team. Regularly challenge yourself to visualize the future by:
 Imagining what your team will accomplish in a year
 Facilitating brainstorms and connecting ideas
 Motivating others to challenge their thinking
Being a visionary is similar to strategic thinking. Both are important for decision-making
needs and for creating clear goals.
14. Cares about others
Caring about others is different from respecting others. The biggest difference is
showing you care versus saying you care. Both respect and care are needed for
building trust and empowerment on your team. 
To inspire others, it’s important to invest in them and their career path. Without that
personal connection, guidance can feel more like a directive. You can work on creating
that personal connection by:
 Connecting with team members about more than just work
 Asking your team members about their goals and interests 
 Being an empathetic listener 
 Participating in team building games
Creating personal connections with your teammates can empower your working
relationships. It can even help cultivate good communication within teams,
strengthening overall collaboration. 
To me, being a leader is about the ability to influence, coach, mentor, and guide others
toward an achievement. Leaders provide vision, and their success is defined by the
team—not themselves.”
—Chris Juliano, Head of Global Business Talent Acquisition, Asana
15. Stays up-to-date on trends
These days, you have to be tech-savvy and stay up to date with new trends in order to
deliver innovative results. From new software capabilities like business process
automation to AI and more, staying ahead of the curve separates a good team from a
great one. Who better to lead them there than you?

The best part about following industry trends is that there is an abundance of training
and information on just about anything. So if you’re not in the tech-savvy bucket just yet,
here are some ways you can improve your knowledge base:
 Dedicate time each week to learning something new
 Follow technology leaders for industry trends
 Attend conferences and networking events
 Connect with a mentor who can teach you
Due to the ever-evolving nature of trends, it’s good to practice these tips even if you’re
skilled in your field. That way you can continue to share innovative ideas that grow your
organization to new heights. 
Leading your team to success
By honing the qualities of a good leader, you too can learn how to lead effectively and
motivate your team to do their very best work. By working on improving each of these
15 leadership traits, you’re not only cultivating leadership qualities and working to
continuously improve your own skills, you’re also increasing your impact on your
organization. 
For more ideas on how to effectively lead a team, find out if work management software
is right for you. 

Leadership is the ability of an individual or a group of individuals to influence and guide followers or

other members of an organization.
If you Google “leadership,” most of the definitions include a part on guiding people in the
right direction. ... Leaders bring out a positive change in someone, rather than manage
what they do. It is important, when thinking of the people in our lives, to point out the
influences that have brought out in your life.

Leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act toward achieving a common
goal. In a business setting, this can mean directing workers and colleagues with a
strategy to meet the company's needs.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Listening.
Critical Thinking.
Giving Feedback.
Time Management.
Planning and Implementation.
Organization and Delegation.
Motivation.
Wrapping Up.
here are seven primary leadership styles.
Autocratic. ...
Authoritative. ...
Pacesetting. ...
Democratic. ...
Coaching. ...
Affiliative. ...
Laissez-Faire.
A leader's most important role is to provide clear and compelling direction. ... Leaders
ensure that all followers understand, embrace, and work toward achieving those
objectives. And they provide momentum, sharing and celebrating progress toward
achieving company goals, setting new targets, and providing needed resources.

A leader is somebody whom people follow. A leader has authority. ... Because people
follow a leader, the leader can make people do things. A leader can therefore make
people work together towards a common goal. An example of a leader is the head of
government of a country.

Key Leadership Traits

Effective Communication. Good communication and leadership is all about connecting
with others at various levels. ...
Trustworthy. ...
Decisive. ...
Independent Thinker. ...
Positive. ...
Humility. ...
Conflict Resolution. ...
Visionary.
Here are 11 ways to show leadership skills at work:
Listen and learn. As a leader, you spend a lot of time communicating with your team. ...
Communicate clearly. ...
Do your best work. ...
Take responsibility. ...
Set a strong example. ...
Include everyone. ...
Strive for authenticity. ..
Become a thought leader.

E-LEARNING AND MILITARY TRAINING

E-learning refers to a learning system that we can obtain through the internet using an
electronic device. We also call it online learning or online education. ... “E-learning is
training provided via a computer or other digital device, allowing technology to facilitate
learning anytime, anywhere.”
Flexibility. The first advantage of e-learning is flexibility in terms of time and place.
Learning content is usually made available in short modules and can be paused at any
time. Whether you log on while commuting, at work or during your free time- the
learning material can be easily made part of your daily routine
E-learning includes integration of media into teaching and uses a central platform for
organizing communication processes. E-learning also runs test trials, implements
innovative technology (for example Web 2.0), as well as diagnoses education problems
that e-learning can also help solve

Military education and training is a process which intends to establish and improve the
capabilities of military personnel in their respective roles. ... It begins with recruit
training, proceeds to education and training specific to military roles, and sometimes
includes additional training during a military career.
WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

The West Philippine Sea is the part of the South China Sea that belongs to the
Philippines but China is claiming it as its own.
China remains the largest trading partner, the largest source of imports, the third largest
export market and the second largest foreign investors of the Philippines. Tropical fruits
from the Philippines such as bananas and avocados have been served on the dining
tables of more and more Chinese families.
What is the issue between China and Philippines?
Philippines-China relations have lately been dominated by the territorial disputes in the
West Philippine Sea, which has escalated since the naval standoff over the
Scarborough Shoal in April 2012 and aggravated by issues of Chinese illegal
occupation, unlawful establishment of infrastructures, and incidents of

How did the Philippines won against China?

The Hague-based UN-backed tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016,
invalidating China's nine-dash line territorial claim over the South China Sea, but Beijing
has rejected the verdict. ... The Philippines has lodged at least five diplomatic protests
against China over the maritime dispute in 2021.

CPP NPA
The ongoing communist rebellion in the Philippines is a conflict between the government of the
Philippines and the New People's Army (NPA), which is the armed wing of the Marxist–Leninist–
Maoist[3][12] Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). The conflict is also associated with
the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), which serves as the political wing of the
CPP.
It is the world's longest ongoing communist insurgency, [13] and is the largest, most prominent
communist conflict in the Philippines,[12] in contrast to the Marxist–Leninist[14] Revolutionary Workers'
Party rebellion, and the now-defunct Hukbalahap and Cordillera People's Liberation Army rebellions.
[15]
 Between 1969 and 2008, more than 43,000 insurgency-related fatalities were recorded. [16]
Another rebellion is that of the Marxist–Leninist Party of the Philippines and armed wing, the
Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan (RHB), [17]: 682  which broke away from the Communist Party of the
Philippines in 1998, and has since been in conflict both with the government and with the CPP. [18]
The history of the communist rebellion in the Philippines can be traced back to March 29, 1969,
when Jose Maria Sison's newly-formed Communist Party of the Philippines entered an alliance with
a small armed group led by Bernabe Buscayno. Buscayno's group, which was originally a unit under
the Marxist–Leninist 1930s-era Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP-1930), was renamed the "New
People's Army" (NPA) and became the armed wing of the CPP.[19]
Less than two years later, President Ferdinand Marcos introduced martial law,[20][21] leading to the
radicalization of many young people[22] and a rapid growth of the CPP-NPA.[23]
In 1992, the NPA split into two factions: the reaffirmist faction led by Sison and the rejectionist
faction which advocated the formation of larger military units and urban insurgencies. 13 smaller
factions eventually emerged from the group.[citation needed]
Until 2002, the NPA received a considerable amount of aid from outside the Philippines, although
later developments forced it to rely more on support from local sources.[