OVERVIEW

Communist Party of the Philippines flag

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), seek to overthrow the Philippine Government, establish a communist state, and expel US influence from the Philippines. The CPP/NPA primarily attacks the Philippine Government and security forces; those attacks have resulted in thousands of deaths since the group’s founding in 1968. Since 2001, the CPP/NPA has not attacked US citizens or facilities, despite its history of attacking US interests in the Philippines and killing several US military service members. The CPP/NPA’s personnel strength has decreased since its peak of around 25,000 armed members in the 1980s. As of 2025, the group’s capability had been further diminished after Philippine security operations removed several leaders.

OPERATING AREAS
Based in the Philippines; operates mostly in rural areas of central and southern Luzon, Palawan, the Visayan Islands, and eastern and northwestern Mindanao; maintains cells in Manila and other cities

MEMBERS
Approximately 1,500

TACTICS AND TARGETS
The CPP/NPA uses guerrilla tactics, such as ambushes, bombings, assassinations, extortion, and kidnappings. It targets Philippine military and security forces; government officials and facilities; local infrastructure, including power facilities, telecommunication towers, bridges, plantations, and mines; and foreign enterprises. CPP/NPA fighters use small arms, light weapons, grenades, IEDs, and landmines.

TERRORIST GROUP DESIGNATION
The US Department of State designated the CPP/NPA as a foreign terrorist organization on 9 August 2002. The United States designated founder and former leader Jose Maria Sison as a terrorist on 12 August 2002.

KEY LEADERS

NOTABLE ATTACKS