The New People’s Army (NPA) celebrated its 51st anniversary amid the Covid-19 health crisis. Red fighters and people gathered at temporary encampments in various areas.

More than 2,000 farmers attended celebrations held by the NPA-Central Negros (Leonardo Pacsi Command). The NPA staged cultural presentations that paid tribute to the noble contributions of the people’s army in the island. They also paid tribute to victims of Oplan Sauron and relentless extrajudicial killings in the island. The people’s army also held a mass clinic on the same day.

Red fighters from NPA-Negros (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command) wore face masks during the celebration to symbolize its solidarity with the Filipino people’s fight against Covid-19. The celebrations centered on informing the masses about the pandemic and on the importance of maintaining a healthy diet to improve the body’s resistance against diseases. The NPA-Negros also launched Ispading, the literary folio of the revolutionary movement in the island.

More than a hundred Red fighters and residents from nearby barrios gathered in a guerrilla front in Bicol. The highlights of the program include dances, songs and solidarity messages of revolutionary organizations. They celebrated the anniversary with the theme, “Frustrate the US-Duterte regime’s war of suppression! Further strengthen the New People’s Army and comprehensively advance the people’s war!” Speeches by Red fighters centered on responding to the Covid-19 pandemic and preparations for the imminent crisis it may cause in the countryside.

In a state­ment, the NPA-Bukidnon called on the people’s army and the masses to intensify their resistance amid relentless focused military operations in the province. Last year, it documented a total of 72 tactical offensives which resulted in 152 soldiers killed and 94 wounded. According to Ka Dereka Magtanggol, provincial spokesperson of the NPA, the AFP has dropped at least 84 bombs and fired 395 artiller rounds in the mountains of the province since 2018.

NPA units from the regions of Southern Tagalog, Panay and Bicol, and from the provinces of Kalinga, Abra and Mindoro also issued their respective statements.