An End in Sight for the Philippines’ Maoist Insurgency?
The Philippine military claims that a breakthrough is around the corner, but a continuation of the conflict is convenient for many.
By
February 19, 2021
In this Nov. 23, 2016 photo, members of the communist New People’s Army hold their weapons during ceremonies before a clandestine news conference at their guerrilla encampment in the Sierra Madre mountains, southeast of Manila, Philippines.
Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File
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The Philippines’ Maoist insurgency has spanned over five decades and is one of the world’s longest ongoing armed conflicts. The roots of militant communism in the Philippines can be traced as far back as World War II, when communist guerrillas led by the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas-1930 (PKP-1930) fought a campaign of resistance against the Japanese occupation. After the war, they continued to fight against the government of the newly independent Republic of the Philippines, in what became known as the Hukbalahap Rebellion.