AMTI: There and Back Again: Chinese Militia at Iroquois Reef and Union Banks

From the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (Oct 22, 2021): There and Back Again: Chinese Militia at Iroquois Reef and Union Banks

On September 30, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. instructed the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs to file three new protests with China over recent actions in the South China Sea, including the “continued presence of Chinese fishing vessels in [the] vicinity of Iroquois Reef.”

An examination of satellite imagery reveals that Chinese militia vessels began gathering at Iroquois in April, just after the dispersal of the nearly 200 vessels that had been gathered at Whitsun Reef within the Union Banks earlier in 2021. Recent imagery shows that the number of ships at Iroquois has fallen since the Philippine protest, but it also suggests that many of those vessels likely headed back to Union Banks, where numbers are now reaching the levels seen in March. This is evidence of the Chinese militia’s shell game in the Spratly Islands. When international outcry or patrols by other claimants convince them to leave a disputed feature, they disperse to nearby reefs for a time. But their overall numbers in the Spratlys remain consistent.



Iroquois Reef is located at the southern end of Reed Bank, an area northeast of the Spratly Islands thought to be rich in oil and gas. Philippine hydrocarbon exploration in the area was postponed in 2011 after Chinese harassment of a Philippine vessel surveying the area. Manila froze exploration again in 2014 pending the results of its arbitration case against Beijing. The freeze was lifted in 2020 but concrete plans to resume exploration have yet to materialize. Reed Bank was also the site where a likely Chinese militia vessel, the Yue Maobin Yu 42212, rammed and sank a Filipino fishing boat, F/B Gem-Ver, in 2019.

Satellite imagery from Planet Labs show Chinese boats first arriving at Iroquois Reef in mid-April, just after the 200 massed at Whitsun Reef dispersed.

Clockwise from left: Vessels at Iroquois Reef on October 2; on July 21; on April 14

Ranging in size from 40-50 meters, the first ships are visible in imagery as early as April 9. The total number of ships at Iroquois seems to have remained low through early June, with no more than 5 ships visible on any date. But by June 15, the number had grown to 15, and would double to an average of 30 boats in late July. The average number of vessels fell back to 15 in August before rising again to 30 in late September.

AMTI found no AIS signals from Iroquois Reef visible on commercial platform Marine Traffic during this period. This is unsurprising—the mass deployment at Whitsun Reef showed that most Chinese militia vessels are equipped with weak, Class-B AIS transceivers that are rarely detected by satellite.

But one operator likely did detect AIS signals at Iroquois: the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Two BFAR vessels conducted a patrol through the area on September 29 and would have detected most if not all of the Chinese vessels via ship-to-ship AIS transmissions.

The MCS 3001 and 3004 left Palawan on the morning of September 28, wrapping around the northern end of Reed Bank before arriving at Iroquois Reef the following morning. They stopped and stayed at Iroquois for two hours before returning to port. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. ordered the protest filed with China the next day. This may have had an impact as the number of ships at Iroquois has dropped significantly since: 35 vessels were visible in satellite imagery from October 2 but only 5 were present by October 17.

Back to Union Banks

But as was apparent in the aftermath of the mass deployment at Whitsun Reef, Chinese vessels leaving one contested area most often end up at another. In this case, many of them may have gone back to Union Banks, where the number of vessels visible in satellite imagery has been rising over the past three months. In early August, imagery showed only an average of 40 vessels visible in the northern half of Union Banks, which includes Whitsun Reef. By September, over 100 boats were visible. And in an image from October 17, well over 150 ships can be seen.

Now and then: over 150 vessels were visible at Union Banks on October 17, while only a handful were present on August 8

These numbers include some Vietnamese coastguard and fishing boats, but the vast majority are Chinese fishing vessels 50 meters or more in length. This easily distinguishes them from their smaller Vietnamese counterparts. In comparison to the massing at Whitsun Reef in March, these vessels are spread more evenly throughout the northern half of Union Banks, with relatively few at Whitsun itself. Some ships, including five of the Yue Tai Yu vessels owned by Taishan Fancheng Fisheries Development as well as the Zhu Xiang 1163 and the Qiong Sanya Yu 72186, were visible broadcasting AIS on commercial platform Marine Traffic.

Vessels at Union Banks, October 17, 2021

The Philippines filed another protest on October 20, this time about Chinese vessels challenging its patrol ships in the Spratlys with horns, sirens, and radio communications. If this massing of militia vessels at Union Banks continues, more diplomatic protests are likely to follow.

https://amti.csis.org/there-and-back-again-chinese-militia-at-iroquois-reef-and-union-banks/#jp-carousel-29602

Despite protests, Chinese vessels linger in West Philippine Sea

From Rappler (Oct 24, 2021): Despite protests, Chinese vessels linger in West Philippine Sea (By SOFIA TOMACRUZ)

'This is evidence of the Chinese militia's shell game in the Spratly Islands,' says the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the Center for Strategic and International Studies

While several countries called out China's moves to swarm Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in the West Philippine Sea back in March, new analysis by a Washington-based think tank shows Beijing's vessels continue to linger in Philippine waters.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (AMTI-CSIS) in the United States documented this trend in a report released Saturday, October 23, Manila time, with satellite imagery showing Chinese militia ships often moving to and from reefs.

"This is evidence of the Chinese militia's shell game in the Spratly Islands. When international outcry or patrols by other claimants convince them to leave a disputed feature, they disperse to nearby reefs for a time. But their overall numbers in the Spratlys remain consistent," AMTI-CSIS said.

The lingering presence of China's ships in Philippine waters comes even after the Department of Foreign Affairs filed at least 211 notes verbales against Beijing – at least 153 of which were filed in 2021 alone.

Then and now

AMTI-CSIS observed the movement of Chinese ships on at least two occasions. First, Chinese militia vessels gathered at Iroquois Reef in April, after dispersing from Julian Felipe Reef in early 2021.

At the time, the Philippines demanded that China withdraw its vessels, summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, and filed daily diplomatic protests over the continued presence of hundreds of Beijing's ships in Julian Felipe Reef.

The episode saw tensions flare and prompted a renewed push from the Philippines to publicly call out China's aggressive behavior in the area, with other countries following suit.

"Satellite imagery from Planet Labs show Chinese boats first arriving at Iroquois Reef in mid-April, just after the 200 massed at Whitsun Reef dispersed," AMTI-CSIS said.

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The think tank said Chinese ships, ranging in size from 40 to 50 meters, were first visible through imagery as early as April 9. In June, the ships numbered at about five in the area, although in mid-June their numbers grew to 15, and later to around 30 in late July. The figure then fell to 15 in August and climbed to 30 again in late September.

AMTI-CSIS noted that no automatic identification system or AIS signals were detected from ships in Iroquois Reef during that period – "unsurprising" since the swarm of ships in Julian Felipe Reef around March showed that "most Chinese militia vessels are equipped with weak, Class-B AIS transceivers that are rarely detected by satellite."

In late September, Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. filed another protest against the continued presence of China's vessels near the vicinity of Iroquois Reef, some 125 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan.

AMTI-CSIS noted that recent imagery showed the number of Chinese ships in the area have decreased since then, "but it also suggests that many of those vessels likely headed back to Union Banks, where numbers are now reaching the levels seen in March."

This bolsters earlier findings of the Philippines' National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, which had reported in late March that, a month since Chinese vessels were first spotted in Julian Felipe Reef, the ships had spread out over various reefs.

"As was apparent in the aftermath of the mass deployment at Whitsun Reef, Chinese vessels leaving one contested area most often end up at another," AMTI-CSIS said.

Still present

More recently, AMTI-CSIS reported that the number of Chinese ships spotted in Union Banks has been rising over the past three months.

In early August, satellite imagery showed "only an average of 40 vessels visible in the northern half of Union Banks, which includes Whitsun Reef." But in September, "over 100 boats were visible." And on October 17, "well over 150 ships can be seen."

AMTI-CSIS said some ships were fishing boats or from the Vietnam Coast Guard, but the "vast majority" were Chinese vessels at least 50 meters long.

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Retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio earlier stressed that while countries can express the right to navigation, they cannot park hundreds of vessels in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

Carpio had also urged the Philippine government to go beyond diplomatic protests by filing a case before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

In the same way the landmark 2016 Hague ruling affirmed the Philippines' rights in the West Philippine Sea, again taking the legal route to challenge China's actions would benefit the Philippines, said Carpio.

"We are harnessing world opinion here if we use the rule of law and that is our strength because we know we have the law on our side. We should use it to the hilt," he earlier said.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/despite-protests-china-vessels-linger-west-philippine-sea-amti-csis-october-2021

Neutralization of high-ranking NPA leaders in 2020 sparks victories for gov’t troops vs NPA in Palawan

From Palawan News (Oct 24, 2021): Neutralization of high-ranking NPA leaders in 2020 sparks victories for gov’t troops vs NPA in Palawan (By Aira Genesa Magdayao)

Photo courtesy of MBLT-4

The neutralization of three high-ranking rebel commanders in Brooke’s Point in September last year, according to the Philippine Marines’ leadership in Palawan, was the true test for their continued success against the New People’s Army (NPA).

During the 37th Activation Day of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-4 (MBLT-4) at Camp Daypo in Sofronio Española, Col. Jimmy Larida, commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade (3MBde), said the successful operation in Barangay Mainit, Brooke’s Point, was instrumental in ripping down the NPA’s strength in the province.

Larida said MBLT-4 should be proud of its victory over the enemy since the part it played throughout the operation is significant in Palawan’s history of peace and order.

Photo courtesy of MBLT-4

“If we go back at what the MBLT-4 did in Brooke’s Point ay ito na ang mga sumunod. With the MBLT-4’s performance in what transpired at Mainit, Brooke’s Point, it became the first hammer ball in our ongoing and succession of achievements against the terrorists in Palawan,” he said.
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“After that battle in Brooke’s Point, ‘yong mga remnants nila ay tumakbo doon sa norte, sila na naman ang hinabol [ng Marine Battalion Landing Team-3]. That is why kayo dito sa south, you are communist terrorist groups (CTG)-free already. Wala na tayong sightings dito sa south,” Larida added.

The government’s successes, according to Larida, include the recent recoveries in a series of focused military operations (FMOs) of firearms, subversive documents, war materials, and other items in various parts of Palawan, and the apprehension of three NPA candidate members (kandidatong kasapi), two of whom are minors (one of whom is pregnant), in what is believed to be a rebel training camp in Roxas municipality on October 13.

READ RELATED NEWS: Marines apprehend 3 NPA fighters, including pregnant 14-year-old in Roxas town

Larida commended the MBLT-4, led by commander Maj. Glen Llorito, and stated the people of Southern Palawan expect more from them in terms of achieving long-term peace for economic growth.

He said that the previous marines’ victories should not be squandered, but rather should be utilized as encouragement whenever they go out into the villages in pursuit of peace.

“To MBLT-4, I am expecting more accomplishments from you. Please continue the legacy of our forefathers, we are just basking in the victory of the old marines. Ganito kakilala ang PMC (Philippine Marine Corps) ngayon — kasama ang dating accomplishments. Naghaharvest na lang tayo ngayon,” he said.

During the ceremony, MBLT-4 also handed awards to its five personnel and four stakeholders. The 24th Marine Company was also recognized as the Best Company and Best in Sports.

“To our men of MBLT-4, let’s continue our duties. Nakita niyo ang bunga ng inyong sakripisyo and always keep our motto in mind and in heart — Karangalan, Katungkulan at Kabayanihan,” Llorito said.

https://palawan-news.com/neutralization-of-high-ranking-npa-leaders-in-2020-sparks-victories-for-govt-troops-vs-npa-in-palawan/

IEDs explode; 2 cops hurt

From Panay News (Oct 24, 2021): IEDs explode; 2 cops hurt (By Ruby Silubrico)

Two police officers were wounded in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion in Barangay Mayang, Tubungan town yesterday afternoon.

The victims were Police Corporal Genel Simpas of the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company (IPMFC) and Patrolman Jessie Castamado.

They were having a foot patrol outside their detachment when two IEDs exploded.

The victims were recuperating at the Rep. Pedro Trono Memorial District Hospital in Guimbal town.

“We are now investigating as to who was responsible for the incident,” said Police Lieutenant Alwin Salmon, Tubungan police chief.

After the explosion, Salmon said an exchange of fire happened between suspected rebels and the police.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed troops to the area. The suspects reportedly fled after several minutes of gun battle.

https://www.panaynews.net/ieds-explode-2-cops-hurt/

Naval exercises in Basilan and Sulu set this week

From MindaNews (Oct 24, 2021): Naval exercises in Basilan and Sulu set this week (By FRENCIE CARREON)

Naval exercises to “test our existing doctrines in the planning and execution of Seabees operations” are set to begin here on Monday, October 25.

Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr., commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) in a telephone interview Sunday said the naval exercises, dubbed “Pagsisikap Exercises 2021,” will open here on October 25, but events are to take place in Basilan and in Sulu where it would close on October 29. A post-event assessment is set in Zamboanga City.

Naval exercises dubbed “Pagsisikap Exercises 2021” will open in Zamboanga City on October 25 but activities will be held in Basilan and Sulu where it will close on October 29. Map courtesy of Google Maps

He was referring to wartime and peacetime doctrines in the conduct of amphibious operations, maritime interdiction operations, surveillance and reconnaissance of the maritime areas, civil-military operations, and a host of other traditional and non-traditional naval operations that need to be tested whether they will be retained or amended.

“There will be events launched from the sea using amphibious assault vehicles traveling from the sea to the shoreline, carrying the Marine forces,” Adaci said, adding that there will be firing of naval guns, and Spike Extended Range (ER) missile, with all targets positioned at sea.

Adaci said the Pagsisikap Naval Exercises 2021 will be participated in by131 officers, 748 enlisted personnel, 24 reservists, and 42 Navy Seals, or 945 men in the Philippine Navy, involving the Fleet units or those nine naval ships deployed in Western Mindanao, Marine Amphibious Ready Unit (MARU) aboard the Navy’s biggest ship Landing Dock BRP Tarlac (LD601), one helicopter, and a civilian-owned ship.

Navy Captain Alan Javier, Director of Exercise Pagsisikap 2021 and concurrent commander of Naval Task Force 62, said, the Philippine Navy through NFWM “will showcase the capability of the Fleet-Marine concept in the planning and execution of naval and amphibious operations in the littoral battle space.”

He said the exercise will also include activities that will highlight the integral role of inter-agency collaboration in the conduct of maritime and naval operations.

Lt. Senior Grade Chester Ross Cabaltera, NFWM Acting Public Affairs Office spokesperson, shared that as prelude, the NFWM’s Fleet-Marine forces aboard Landing Dock BRP Tarlac and its attached Marine Amphibious Ready Unit from the Philippine Marines, and Navy Seals from the Naval Special Operations Unit 6, conducted rehearsals on Amphibious Operations last October 21 at sea adjacent to Naval Station Romulo Espaldon (NSRE) in Zamboanga City.

The rehearsals, he said, were intended to prepare the sailors and marines for the week-long Exercise Pagsisikap 2021 covering NFWM’s areas of operations particularly in the littoral areas and seawaters off Basilan and Sulu. The amphibious operations rehearsals simulated a mock raid at the NSRE Beach area.

Adaci said the at-sea events will test the mettle of the Philippine Navy’s warships and crew. He explained that a civilian boat, acting as a critical contact of interest, will pose as a target vessel in interdiction operations during this week’s Naval Exercises.

Compliance with health protocols are strictly to be observed during the During the exercises, he said.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/10/naval-exercises-in-basilan-and-sulu-set-this-week/

Alert heightened in Maguindanao following highway blast

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 24, 2021): Alert heightened in Maguindanao following highway blast (By Edwin Fernandez)

Google map of Guindulungan, Maguindanao

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Additional military and police forces under Joint Task Force Central were deployed along the highway linking this province to Cotabato City and Sultan Kudarat following a blast that took place along Guindulungan town on Saturday night.

The blast also halted the 30-vehicle convoy of Rep. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu that was passing by the stretch of the highway in Guindulungan near an Army detachment amid a heavy downpour.

“An improvised bomb went off but nobody was hurt,” Lt. Col. John Paul Baldomar, Army’s 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, told reporters here Sunday.

Mangudadatu, who is running for provincial governor in connection with next year's polls, believed he was the target of the roadside bomb attack which occurred around 6:30 p.m. in Sitio Pansol.

“Muntik na kami (We are almost hit),” he said in his Facebook post.

Mangudadatu said one of the cars in his 30-vehicle convoy was almost hit by the explosion.

Army and police authorities now jointly investigating the incident could not say for now if the suspected improvised bomb was meant for Mangudadatu.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157586

Leyte church leaders join intensified fight vs. CTGs

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 24, 2021): Leyte church leaders join intensified fight vs. CTGs

Photo courtesy of Pulis Anahawan Southern Leyte

Following the "Peace Forum with the Religious Sector" sponsored by the municipal government of Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, religious leaders agreed to address communist infiltration of the religious sector and support the campaign of the Regional Task Force 8 to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF8-ELCAC) through the whole-of-government and whole-of-nation programs.

The forum on Friday was attended by more than 30 pastors, preachers, council members and laymen of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, local government unit of Hinunangan, the Army's 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management Cluster of RTF8-ELCAC, and the Sentrong Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan para sa Bayan Eastern Visayas at the Las Vegas Resort in Barangay Talisay.

The forum tackled the infiltration, manipulation, and exploitation of the church by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) terrorists and their front organizations.

The almost five-hour dialogue resulted in the agreement that the participants shall cooperate on the following courses of action: find ways to help stop the communist terrorist groups’ (CTG) resource-generation scheme using the church; create awareness among church members on the CTGs’ sinister infiltration and exploitation of the religious sector using the arouse, organize and mobilize methodology; and, prevent CTGs’ deceptive recruitment of the youth that results in the destruction of families by abusing legitimate church programs with so-called youth camps.

The participants unanimously supported the call to sustain and expand the church-government-military-private sectors dialogue in Southern Leyte's so-called pacific towns of Hinunangan, Silago, Hinundayan, Anahawan, St. Bernard, Liloan, and San Francisco in Panaon Island.

In his brief remark, Mayor Sonny Fernandez, also the chair of Hinunangan Municipal Task Force–ELCAC, called on local church members "to be always aware" of the CPP-NPA-NDF manipulation in their sector and "to nip in the bud" any indication of CTG influence in their churches so it will not progress into more serious problems.

Fernandez also declared his all-out support behind the continuing dialogue with the church and any effort that will lead to peace and prosperity.

Brig. Gen. Oliveros, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, pointed out in his closing speech the need for the people "to work together" in order to address the CTG church infiltration, to avoid the recruitment of young church people into the communist terrorism movement through deception, and to prevent the division and destruction of the church due to CTG invasion.

The Philippines' Anti-Terrorism Council has designated the CPP, NPA, and NDF as terrorist groups.

The United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines also listed the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157616

5 suspected NPA rebels killed in remote Masbate town

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 24, 2021): 5 suspected NPA rebels killed in remote Masbate town (By Mar Serrano)

File photo

Some five suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed Sunday afternoon after a clash with the police in a remote village in Mandaon, Masbate.

The encounter was triggered when operatives served a warrant of arrest for five counts of murder and attempted murder charges on Eddie/Arnold Rosero (alias Ka Star), a rebel leader, at his residence in Barangay Bugtong, according to Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson.

According to an intelligence report, Rosero was with the Larangan 1 Guerrilla Front.

Calubaquib said Rosero and his companions saw the approaching operatives and engaged the police in a firefight that lasted for 30 minutes.

The slain rebels have yet to be identified.

Police recovered from the scene three M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, two .45 caliber handguns, and improvised explosive devices.

The Communist Part of the Philippines -NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157620

PNP won’t underestimate ‘remaining few’ CPP-NPA members

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 24, 2021): PNP won’t underestimate ‘remaining few’ CPP-NPA members (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the government security forces are not underestimating the capability of the “remaining few” of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to regroup and launch atrocities in the country.

This, after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte last week said there are now fewer NPA activities taking place since the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and its regional task forces.

“The PNP agrees with President Duterte’s assessment that we are winning the war against communist insurgency and fully acknowledge the contributions of all government agencies and our LGUs in this endeavor,” Eleazar said in a video message Saturday.

Eleazar, however, said the PNP is “not underestimating the capability of the remaining few especially in the coming election period when they could extort money that could be used to finance atrocities and recruitment and to undermine our democratic process come May 2022.”

He said the PNP will not lower its guard in anticipation of possible attacks by the CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) which is desperate to prove it is still a force to reckon with.

“Kaya inulit natin ang ating babala sa mga kandidado na wag makipagkuntyaba sa CPP-NPA-NDF dahil dahil tinitiyak namin na mananagot kayo kapag nahuli at napatunayan ng inyong PNP na nakipagtulungan kayo sa kanila para lang manalo (So we reiterate our warning to the candidates not to conspire with the CPP-NPA-NDF because we guarantee that you will be held accountable once your PNP finds you cooperating with them just to win),” he said.

Eleazar said the public is now aware of the deception of the communist rebels who continue to pursue their pointless armed struggle.

During the opening and inauguration of Sariaya Bypass Road in Quezon province last week, Duterte said the government is “winning” the war against the communist insurgency in the country.

Duterte, however, acknowledged that the CPP-NPA continues to perpetuate violence by killing soldiers, police, and civilians in the country, but in “a very small scale” this time.

He also said the NTF-ELCAC made great efforts to convince communist rebels to return to the fold of the law, reminding the task force officials to uplift the living conditions of the citizens in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas through its Barangay Development Program (BDP).

“This can be done through the provision of the much needed services and public utilities such as improved farm-to-market roads anywhere in the Philippines --‘yan po talaga ang hinihingi ng Pilipino (that’s what the Filipinos are asking for) -- school buildings, especially built in areas where there is a congregation of new settlements,” he said.

He thanked the NTF-ELCAC members for consistently standing up against the communist insurgency in the region.

Duterte also said he is “certain” that the country will eventually be able to stop the decades-old communist insurgency in the country.

In December 2018, Duterte signed Executive Order 70 creating the NTF-ELCAC aimed at putting an end to the treacherous life cycle of the more than five decades of insurgency—his campaign promise.

The CPP-NPA has been declared as a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157582