General information
First Active Year: 1975
Current Name: CPP
Current Name full English: Communist Party of the Philippines
Current Name full native language: Communist Party of the Philippines
Original Name: CPP
Original Name full English: Communist Party of the Philippines
Original Name full native language: Communist Party of the Philippines
Actor Chronology
This section contains information about (if applicable) group splinters, name changes, and alliances according to the UCDP definitions of these concepts.
UCDP has not recorded any Chronology Activities involving this group.
Conflict issues
Government of Philippines - CPP
Conflict Goal Issues: The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was a rebel group guided by “Marxist-Leninist-Mao Tsetung” ideology. The group defined itself in opposition to US imperialism, and advanced a Maoist form of agrarian revolution. The CPP organized rural, working class communities as the economic, political, and military engines for its 50 plus year battle against the Philippine government. The CPP viewed itself as part of the global communist revolution. The New People’s Army (NPA) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) were the military and political wings, respectively. The 1968 “Program for a People's Democratic Revolution” outlined CPP’s political, economic, and military vision. CPP sought to overthrow the “reactionary bourgeois regime and all reactionary classes supporting it” and install a communist state. While the CPP advanced many conflict goal issues in its early manifestos, a plurality were economic in nature. Land redistribution, labor rights, expanded public services, and a nationalized agricultural-based economy were foundational conflict goal issues for CPP. They also promoted fundamental political freedoms, and vowed to punish corruption in the Philippine government.
The CPP’s conflict goal demands were remarkably consistent between 1968 and 2017. The CPP believed that the “main content of the democratic revolution” was the redistribution of land to the rural landless. Nearly every yearly anniversary statement promoted a nationalized agricultural economy with expanded labor rights and extensive public services. The “ultimate goal” of the CPP was to “overthrow the entire ruling system of the big…landlords and replace it with a truly democratic government of the toiling masses.” CPP’s agricultural foundation is related to another central conflict goal: the protection of natural resources/the environment.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: The initial conflict dynamic issues raised by CPP in the late 1960s and early 1970s primarily concern their goal of “destroy(ing) the power and influence of US imperialists.” The rebel group demanded that the Philippine government withdraw all US military bases and remove all treaties that “bind the reactionary government to the U.S. imperialists.” CPP also condemned the atrocities and abuses committed by the US-Philippine “clique.” The conflict dynamic issues relating to the perceived US imperialism remained consistent throughout the coding period.
In the early 1990s, the CPP requested foreign mediation under the UN General Secretary. The CPP hoped to achieve international recognition “for its status of belligerency” during this period of peace talks. In the following years, the CPP repeatedly demanded that the NPA, NDF, and their associated political consultants be removed from various countries’ terrorist lists. Between 2011-2017, the CPP also demanded that their consultants be released from Philippine prisons to attend peace talks organized by Norway.
The principal conflict dynamic issues coded relate to perceived US imperialism and atrocities committed against the Filipino people by the Philippine government. The CPP demanded that the US withdrawal its military forces in 18 issue-years; they condemned the Philippine government for committing atrocities and abuses in 28 issue-years.
Conflict Resolution Issues: In their 1968 program, the CPP demanded pubic trials in a “people’s court” for those officials in the Philippine government who they perceived to be corrupt.
Generally speaking, conflict resolution issues are coded consistently throughout the coding period. The CPP consistently called for accountability for the Philippine government and for new rounds of negotiations. From the late 1990s to the end of the coding period, the CPP routinely demanded that the Philippine government abide by certain joint agreements and statements. The CPP believed that the jailing of their political consultants and Philippine government lobbying to have CPP and its political consultants listed on various countries’ terrorist lists violated these agreements. Lastly, CPP often appealed to hold negotiations outside of the Philippines in a neutral site.
The central conflict resolution issues coded in this project are calls for negotiations, calls for prosecutions in CPP courts, and demands that the Philippine government implement peace agreements.
Type of conflict issues: *Conflict Goal Issues: * Basic needs, Change economic system, Civil rights, Constitutional issues, Corruption, CPS: Democracy, CPS: Socialist state, Cultural rights, Economic reforms, Electoral fraud, Foreign policy reform, Freedom of association, Freedom of expression, Freedom of movement, Gender rights, Hold elections, Human rights, Labor rights, Land reforms, Law and order, Oust full executive, Oust head of the executive, Oust parliament, Protection of natural resources/the environment, Public services, Reform executive structure, Reform parliament, Religious rights, Restrictions on freedom of expression, Restrictions on religious rights, Revenues from natural resources, Water resources
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses, DFI: Removal of foreign influence, DFI: Removal of foreigners, DFI: Withdrawal of financial support, DFI: Withdrawal of military intervention/foreign forces, DFI: Withdrawal of military support, DFI: Withdrawal of political support, DFI: Withdrawal of sanctions, IFI: Foreign mediator, IFI: Military intervention/foreign forces, IFI: Political support, IFI: Recognition, IFI: Support from diasporas/foreign fighters, Military conduct, Release of prisoners, Revenge/vengeance
Conflict Resolution Issues: Accountability/prosecution/investigation, Amnesties, Call for negotiations, Compensation/restoration, Peace agreement implementation, Recognition of wrongdoing, Structure of negotiations
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Philippines - CPP
1976
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Philippines - CPP
1977
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Philippines - CPP
1978
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Philippines - CPP
1979
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1980
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1981
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1982
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1983
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1984
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1985
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1986
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1987
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1988
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1989
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1990
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1991
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1992
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1993
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1994
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1995
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1997
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Government of Philippines - CPP
1999
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2000
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2001
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2002
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2003
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2004
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2005
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2006
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2007
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2008
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2009
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2010
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2011
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2012
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2013
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2014
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2015
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CPP - Civilians
Government of Philippines - CPP
2016
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2017
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2018
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Philippines - CPP
2019
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Philippines - CPP
2020
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
CPP - Civilians
Government of Philippines - CPP
2021
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2022
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2023
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2024
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Government of Philippines - CPP
2025
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Philippines - CPP
Group Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Troop Size: 10 000
Comment on Troop Size: CPP started out with an armed strength of just 60 men in 1969, but had by 1971 expanded to between 350-1000 troops. In 1972, CPP controlled around 10 000 men and in the 1980s, the group’s armed strength reached 25 000. In 1975 it numbered at least 10 000 troops.
Secondary Support: The Communist Party of the Philippines had in the 1960s received a limited amount of material aid and training from China. When China, in the 1970s, sought better relations with their neighbours and the West this aid ceased.
1976 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Troop Size: 10 000
Comment on Troop Size: CPP started out with an armed strength of just 60 men in 1969, but had by 1971 expanded to between 350-1000 troops. In 1972, CPP controlled around 10 000 men and in the 1980s, the group’s armed strength reached 25 000. In 1976 it numbered at least 10 000 troops.
1977 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Comment on Active: During 1977, CPP was thought to have a tactical alliance with the Moslem separatist group MNLF.
Troop Size: 10 000
Comment on Troop Size: CPP started out with an armed strength of just 60 men in 1969, but had by 1971 expanded to between 350-1000 troops. In 1972, CPP controlled around 10 000 men and in the 1980s, the group’s armed strength reached 25 000. In 1977 it numbered at least 10 000 troops.
Secondary Support: During 1977, CPP was thought to have a tactical alliance with the Moslem separatist group MNLF.
1978 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Troop Size: 17 000
Comment on Troop Size: CPP started out with an armed strength of just 60 men in 1969, but had by 1971 expanded to between 350-1000 troops. In 1972, CPP controlled around 10 000 men and in the 1980s, the group’s armed strength reached 25 000. In 1978 it numbered at least 17 000 troops.
1979 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Troop Size: 17 000
Comment on Troop Size: CPP started out with an armed strength of just 60 men in 1969, but had by 1971 expanded to between 350-1000 troops. In 1972, CPP controlled around 10 000 men and in the 1980s, the group’s armed strength reached 25 000. In 1979 it numbered at least 17 000 troops.
1980 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Troop Size: 17 000
Comment on Troop Size: CPP started out with an armed strength of just 60 men in 1969, but had by 1971 expanded to between 350-1000 troops. In 1972, CPP controlled around 10 000 men and in the 1980s, the group’s armed strength reached 25 000. In 1980 it numbered at least 17 000 troops.
1981 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Troop Size: 17 000
Comment on Troop Size: CPP started out with an armed strength of just 60 men in 1969, but had by 1971 expanded to between 350-1000 troops. In 1972, CPP controlled around 10 000 men and in the 1980s, the group’s armed strength reached 25 000. In 1981 it numbered at least 17 000 troops.
Secondary Support: During the year, CPP carried out several joint attacks with the Moslem guerrilla group MNLF in the southern island of Mindanao.
1982 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Troop Size: 20 000
Comment on Troop Size: CPP started out with an armed strength of just 60 men in 1969, but had by 1971 expanded to between 350-1000 troops. In 1972, CPP controlled around 10 000 men and in the mid-1980s, the group’s armed strength reached 25 000. In 1982 it numbered at least 20 000 troops.
1983 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Troop Size: 20 000
Secondary Support: CPP had a loose alliance with the Muslim guerrilla group MNLF during 1983.
1984 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Troop Size: 20 000
1985 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Troop Size: 22 000
1986 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Comment on Active: In response to the new government, splits had developed within CPP, and in April 1986, Commander Balweg declared that he had established his own group, CPLA (Cordillera People’s Liberation Army). CPLA initiated peace talks with the government in September, and on 15 December, an agreement was signed according to which CPLA became part of the Cordillera Regional Development Council and received military assistance from the government.
Troop Size: 30 000
1987 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Troop Size: 24 000 - 30 000
1988 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The armed wing is called NPA (New People’s Army).
Troop Size: 30 000
1989 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The Communist Party of the Philippines consisted of three main parts: the party itself; the New Peoples Army (NPA); and the united political front of National Democratic Front (NDF, an umbrella organization consisting of several communist parties).
Troop Size: 16 000
Comment on Troop Size: Only counting armed active forces. Total troop size was 23 000-30 000.
Secondary Support: It was suggested that Vietnam was supporting and arming the military wing of the movement.
1990 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The Communist Party of the Philippines consisted of three main parts: the party itself; the New Peoples Army; and the united political front of National Democratic Front (NDF, an umbrella organization consisting of several communist parties).
During the year, a lot of attention was given to the CPPs "Sparrow Units," especially the Manila-based urban guerrilla ABB (Alex Boncayao Brigade).
Comment on Active: Amongst other attacks, the ABB targeted Manila buses in October, which led to a decrease in public support for the CPP movement.
Troop Size: 18 000
Comment on Troop Size: This estimate was given by Filipino officials.
1991 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The Communist Party of the Philippines consisted of three main parts: the party itself; the New Peoples Army (NPA); and the united political front of National Democratic Front (NDF, an umbrella organization consisting of several communist parties).
The Manila-based part of the NPA was also referred to as ABB (Alex Boncacayo Brigade.)
In 1991, the CPP announced that they had expanded their military wing with the BANABA (New People’s Navy).
Comment on Active: In December, the exiled founder of CPP, Jose Maria Sison, claimed that the reason for the lack of success in their struggle was due to not enough ideological training. He wrote a report called "Reaffirm Our Basic Principles and Rectify the Errors" about how the movement should pursue a purging campaign.
Troop Size: 16 500
Comment on Troop Size: According to Filipino official sources.
Secondary Support: It was suggested that financial support had come from leftist supporters in Europe, and that limited military training had been given by North Korea.
1992 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: On 22 September, a law was passed that legalized the CPP as a political party.
The Communist Party of the Philippines consisted of three main parts: the party itself; the New Peoples Army (NPA); and the united political front of National Democratic Front (NDF, an umbrella organization consisting of several communist parties).
The Manila-based part of the NPA was also referred to as ABB (Alex Boncacayo Brigade), while the New Peoples Navy was known as BANABA.
Comment on Active: The exiled founder of CPP, Jose Maria Sison, took over as chairman of the party. This led to a confrontation in July between the exiled leaders, such as Sison and Jalandoni, and the Manila-based central committee members such as Reyes, and the party secretary Lagman. The two factions held different views over how the party should follow the teachings of Mao Tse-Tung, and the tactics for their future warfare. In general, the Manila-based faction was more in favour of an urban struggle, while the exiled members still considered a peasant-based army necessary.
Troop Size: 13 480
Comment on Troop Size: Estimated number of active troops in June 1992. During the year, the strength of the NPA diminished and estimates at the end of the year it was claimed to only consist of between 7 000-11 000 troops.
1993 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The Communist Party of the Philippines consisted of three main parts: the party itself; the New Peoples Army (NPA); and the united political front of National Democratic Front (NDF, an umbrella organization consisting of several communist parties).
The Manila-based part of the NPA was also referred to as ABB (Alex Boncacayo Brigade), while the New Peoples Navy was known as BANABA.
Comment on Active: There was less activity by the CPP due to an internal dispute over the leadership of the movement. In 1993, the split within the leadership of the CPP led to suggestions that the group was going to disintegrate. On 13 July, the Manila-based ABB (Alex Boncayao Brigade) announced their split from the CPP. A spokesperson using a pseudonym declared that the new group had a hit-list of victims they were targeting.
Troop Size: 10 600
Comment on Troop Size: Total size at the beginning of the year, according to official estimates. Only about 7800 were supposedly armed and active.
1994 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: (Communist Party of the Philippines)
Comment on Active: Conflict activity continued to decrease due to internal disputes within the CPP. In May, a law was passed granting a general amnesty to all rebels, policemen, and soldiers that might be suspected for criminal activity in the conflicts. A precondition was that they had to surrender within 6 months to the police.
Troop Size: 6000 - 8400
Comment on Troop Size: The high estimate is from the beginning of the year, but there were numerous defections among the troops throughout the year. Of these, about 2500 were part of the New Peoples Army, while the remaining part were largely urban guerrillas.
1995 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: (Communist Party of the Philippines)
Comment on Active: Internal disputes over the leadership of the CPP diminished its strength; exiled leaders negotiated with the government while the Filipino-based faction continued with armed struggle.
Troop Size: 7000
Comment on Troop Size: This number is the total troop size. The different factions within the party were supposedly each controlling about 50% of the troops.
1997 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The Communist Party of the Philippines consisted of three main parts: the party itself; the New Peoples Army (NPA); and the united political front of National Democratic Front (NDF, an umbrella organization consisting of several communist parties).
Comment on Active: It seemed that the majority of splinter groups were unsuccessful, and that the original faction of CPP, led by the exiled Jose Maria Sison, managed to regain control over most of the movement.
Troop Size: 7119
Comment on Troop Size: This numbers was given at the end of the year. All troops were supposedly armed, according to official sources.
1999 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The Communist Party of the Philippines consisted of three main parts: the party itself; the New Peoples Army (NPA); and the united political front of National Democratic Front (NDF, an umbrella organization consisting of several communist parties).
Troop Size: 9500
Comment on Troop Size: Total estimated troop size by official sources.
2000 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The Communist Party of the Philippines consisted of three main parts: the party itself; the New Peoples Army (NPA); and the united political front of National Democratic Front (NDF, an umbrella organization consisting of several communist parties).
Comment on Active: In April, it was reported that the increasing activity from the CPP had led to the group working together with MILF in Mindanao.
Troop Size: 10 600
Comment on Troop Size: This number was reported at the start of the year.
2001 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The Communist Party of the Philippines consisted of three main parts: the party itself; the New Peoples Army (NPA); and the united political front of National Democratic Front (NDF, an umbrella organization consisting of several communist parties).
Comment on Active: As most of the breakaway factions had become less significant and the major breakaway leader Lagman was killed in 2001, it can be said that the CPP movement now largely had resumed as one force.
Troop Size: 11 600 - 13 000
Comment on Troop Size: This number comes from official sources.
2002 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The Communist Party of the Philippines consisted of three main parts: the party itself; the New Peoples Army (NPA); and the united political front of National Democratic Front (NDF, an umbrella organization consisting of several communist parties).
Troop Size: 11 930
Comment on Troop Size: This is the official number given at the beginning of the year. It was also reported that the NPA had 7 156 firearms available at the time.
2003 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The Communist Party of the Philippines consisted of three main parts: the party itself; the New Peoples Army (NPA); and the united political front of National Democratic Front (NDF, an umbrella organization consisting of several communist parties).
Troop Size: 9000 - 11 000
Comment on Troop Size: Most estimates of the troop size of NPA fall into the range 9000-11 000.
2004 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) consisted of three main parts: the party itself; the New Peoples Army (NPA); and the united political front of National Democratic Front (NDF, an umbrella organization consisting of several communist parties).
Troop Size: 9000 - 11 000
Comment on Troop Size: Most estimates of the troop size of NPA fall into the range 9000-11 000.
2005 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The NPA is the military wing of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF), an umbrella group also covering the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) as its political wing.
Troop Size: 11 000 - 12 000
Comment on Troop Size: The troop size of NPA, the military wing of CPP, was estimated at 11 000-12 000.
2006 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: The NPA is the military wing of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF), an umbrella group also covering the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) as its political wing.
Troop Size: 11 500
2007 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)
Troop Size: 6000
2008 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)
Troop Size: 5000-7000
Comment on Troop Size: In February 2008 the military estimated that CPPs armed strength was down to 5760 men. Other reports claim that they have 5000-7000 active troops.
Secondary Support: There have been a lot of rumours and allegations of a possible alliance between MILF and CPP although the military has not been able to prove that the rebel groups have engaged in joint operations. However, in October the military claimed that they had found documents in MILF camps revealing a tactical alliance between the two. The support primarily consisted of technology transfer, provision of safe haven, and loan of weapons such as the RPG (rifle propelled grenades). The military also claimed that the MILFs special operations group in Maguindanao had been teaching bomb-making techniques to the NPA fighters operating in Sarangani and Davao provinces. Statements from NPA and MILF confirm that they have formed a tactical alliance sharing technology and training, but MILF denies that they would assist NPA in battle, if it is not in areas where MILF already has active forces. Comments from rebel spokesmen suggest that their mutual support has been going on for years.
2009 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Name: Communist Party of the Philippines. The NPA is the military wing of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF), an umbrella group also covering the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) as its political wing.
Troop Size: 5000 - 6000
Comment on Troop Size: Military estimates of the strength of NPA, CPP’s armed wing, vary between 5000 and 6000 troops.
2010 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Active: The Philippine government expressed concerns that Sison was no longer in control of CPP and that the organisation instead was headed by Benito Tiamzon and his wife Wilma. However, the CPP has said nothing about a shift in leadership.
Troop Size: 4111
Comment on Troop Size: The Philippine military estimated NPA, CPPs armed wing, to have 4111 troops in 2010. Some sources claim that there are up to 6000 NPA troops.
2011 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Comment on Active: In 2010, the Philippine government expressed concerns that Sison was no longer in control of CPP and that the organisation instead was headed by Benito Tiamzon and his wife Wilma. However, the CPP has said nothing about a shift in leadership. In US embassy cables released by Wikileaks in 2011, both Philippine government representatives and the Norwegian peace broker said that Sison was no longer the leader and that the CPP leadership did not abide by Sison’s strategy of formal peace talks.
Troop Size: 4100
Comment on Troop Size: The Philippine military estimated NPA, CPPs armed wing, to have between 4100 and 4600 troops in 2011.
2012 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Troop Size: 4000
Comment on Troop Size: The Philippine military estimated NPA, CPP’s armed wing, to have around 4000 troops in 2012.
2013 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Troop Size: 4000
Comment on Troop Size: The Philippine military estimated NPA, CPPs armed wing, to have around 4000 troops in 2013.
2014 Group Archive
Government of Philippines - CPP
Troop Size: 4000
Comment on Troop Size: The Philippine military estimated NPA, CPPs armed wing, to have around 4000 troops in 2014, although by the end of the year they said the number had been reduced to 3200.
