The Communist Party of the Philippines congratulated the New People’s Army (NPA) in Bicol for seizing 17 firearms, including a machine-gun and ten high-powered rifles over the past few weeks.

“The tactical offensives of the NPA in Bicol are a resounding slap against Duterte and his NTF-ELCAC,” said Marco Valbuena, chief information officer of the CPP. “This is another reason to celebrate the upcoming anniversary of the NPA,” Valbuena added. The NPA is set to celebrate its 52nd founding anniversary on March 29.

The NPA-Camarines Norte raided the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company last March 19 in Purok 6, Barangay Dumagmang, Labo, Camarines Norte. Red fighters were able to confiscate eight high-powered rifles including one R4 carbine, six Galil and a baby M60 machine gun. At least five police personnel were killed while two were wounded.

“This is in response to the people’s demand for justice,” said Carlito Cada, spokesman of the NPA in Camarines Norte. The said PNP unit was involved in implementing Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operation (SACLEO) where five civilians were killed.

In Sipocot, Camarines Sur, Red fighters outmaneuvered the PNP-SAF in their supposed strike operation in Barangay Tigman, Sipocot, Camarines Sur last March 4. Two PNP elements were killed while two were wounded. Earlier in February, Red fighters confiscated an M16 rifle, 2 carbines and a cache of bullets from a despotic landlord in neighboring Barangay Villazar.

In addition to these, the NPA in Southern Tagalog and Visayas continued to overcome focused military operations and mount successful offensives.

In a statement released by Ka Madaay Gasic, spokesperson of NPA-Mindoro, an NPA team in Occidental Mindoro attacked operating troops of the 4th IB in Barangay Manoot, Rizal last March 3. The AFP reported one casualty. Meanwhile in Quezon, a unit of NPA carried out an ambush against the 85th IB in Sitio Colong, Barangay San Francisco B, Lopez, Quezon last March 5. Three AFP troopers were killed while one was wounded.

Red fighters in Visayas also launched victorious offensives against fascist troops. The NPA-Central Negros reported an ambush last March 15 against 79th IB wherein scores were killed and wounded among the ranks of the AFP.

In Western Samar, the NPA was able to kill two operating troops of 46th IB in an armed encounter.

The AFP sustained atleast 18 casualties in the past two weeks.