 The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was founded in 1969, and

its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), was established in the
following year. These two entities are so closely intertwined that they are
often referred to together as the CPP-NPA.

"Armed wing," it means the military or paramilitary organization associated

with a particular political or ideological group.

The CPP provides the ideological framework, the New People's Army (NPA), is
responsible for carrying out armed activities such as guerrilla warfare,
insurgency operations, and other military actions in support of the CPP's goals
and objectives.

 The CPP emerged in 1969 with the vision of establishing a People’s

Democratic Government through proletarian revolution. Its ideology is
rooted in communism and Marxism–Leninism–Maoism.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was founded in 1969 with
the vision of establishing a People’s Democratic Government through
proletarian revolution. Proletarian revolution refers to a social uprising led by
the working class (proletariat) aiming to overthrow the capitalist system and
establish a classless society.

The ideology of the CPP is rooted in communism, which advocates for a

society where the means of production are collectively owned and wealth is
distributed equally among all members. Additionally, the CPP draws from
Marxism–Leninism–Maoism, which emphasizes the importance of revolutionary
struggle, the leadership of a vanguard party, and the adaptation of Marxist
principles to the conditions of each specific country.
Marxism: Marxism is a socio-political and economic theory developed by Karl
Marx and Friedrich Engels. It analyzes the class struggle inherent in capitalist
societies and advocates for the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism by the
working class (proletariat). Book: Communist Manifesto

Leninism: Leninism refers to the political and theoretical ideas developed by

Vladimir Lenin, a key figure in the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the founding
leader of the Soviet Union. Lenin expanded upon Marxist theory, particularly in
the context of imperialism and the role of the vanguard party. He emphasized
the necessity of a highly organized and disciplined revolutionary party to lead
the proletariat in seizing state power and establishing a socialist society.

Maoism: Maoism, also known as Marxism–Leninism–Maoism, is a further

development of Marxist-Leninist theory as applied by Mao Zedong, the leader
of the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Republic of China. Maoism
emphasizes the revolutionary potential of peasant movements and guerrilla
warfare, as well as the continuous nature of class struggle under socialism. It
also focuses on the importance of mass mobilization and revolutionary culture.

In the context of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), Marxism–

Leninism–Maoism represents the synthesis of these three ideologies, adapted to
the specific conditions of the Philippines. It guides the party's strategy and
tactics in pursuing its goal of establishing a People's Democratic Government
through proletarian revolution.

 Jose Maria Sison and Bernabe Buscayno were among the founders who
aimed to address social inequality and fight for the rights of the working
class.

Jose Maria Sison: Sison, a Filipino communist leader and intellectual, played a
pivotal role in the establishment of the CPP in 1969. He provided ideological
leadership and guidance based on Marxism–Leninism–Maoism, shaping the
party's vision and goals. Sison emphasized the need for a proletarian revolution
to overthrow the oppressive ruling class and establish a socialist society in the
Philippines. He articulated the grievances of the working class and
marginalized sectors, advocating for their empowerment and liberation from
exploitation.

Bernabe Buscayno: Known by his alias "Commander Dante," Buscayno was a

key figure in the formation of the NPA, the armed wing of the CPP. He was a
former member of the Hukbalahap, a guerrilla movement that fought against
Japanese occupation during World War II and later against the Philippine
government in the 1950s. Drawing from his experiences, Buscayno contributed
to the military strategy and tactics of the NPA, which aimed to wage a
protracted people's war against the ruling elite and their military forces. He
envisioned the NPA as a revolutionary force that would defend the rights of
peasants, workers, and other oppressed sectors, while also engaging in armed
struggle to achieve revolutionary goals.

Together, Sison and Buscayno, along with other founders of the CPP-NPA,
sought to address social inequality and fight for the rights of the working class
by mobilizing them for revolutionary action. They believed that armed struggle
was necessary to challenge the entrenched power structures in the Philippines
and pave the way for a more just and equitable society based on socialist
principles.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) of the Philippines was formed as an

umbrella organization by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s
Army (CPP-NPA) in 1973. The NDF aimed to unify the various leftist groups in the
country under a common front. The NDF’s goals included opposing the
government, advocating for social and economic reforms, and ultimately
establishing a socialist society in the Philippines.

However, despite its original intentions, the CPP-NPA and the NDF have faced
significant opposition and criticism over the years. The Philippine government,
under multiple administrations, has branded the CPP-NPA as a terrorist
organization. The United States has also designated the CPP-NPA as a Foreign
Terrorist Organization, citing its violent tactics, including assassinations,
bombings, and extortion, as well as its recruitment of child soldiers.

Furthermore, the European Union has listed the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group
since 2002, citing similar concerns about its activities. These designations have
led to various sanctions and restrictions on the CPP-NPA and its supporters,
limiting their access to resources and support both domestically and
internationally.

Critics of the CPP-NPA and the NDF argue that their tactics have harmed
civilians, disrupted peace and development efforts, and undermined the rule of
law in the Philippines. They accuse the groups of using violence and
intimidation to further their revolutionary goals, rather than engaging in
legitimate political processes.

Despite these criticisms and designations, the CPP-NPA and the NDF continue
to operate in the Philippines, with ongoing armed conflicts and clashes with
government forces. The complex and contentious history of the CPP-NPA and
the NDF underscores the challenging dynamics of political and armed struggle
in the Philippines.