NPA celebrates 51st anniversary with mass health campaign

The New People’s Army celebrated its 51st founding anniversary today, Sunday, March 29, by mobilizing its forces to fight the corona virus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said.

“In its message to the NPA, the CPP Central Committee directed the NPA to mark this day by reaffirming its pledge to serve the people by mobilizing its forces, together with the revolutionary mass organizations, in a public health campaign to prevent the spread of Covid-19.,” the CPP’s Information Bureau said in a statement.

The CPP directed the NPA, especially its medical units, to carry out the campaign in coordination with revolutionary village health committees to help contain the disease, give special attention to the elderly and pregnant women, help care those who have been infected and promote personal hygiene and community sanitation,” the statement reads.

A face mask serves as a precaution against the corona virus, a disguise, and a placard for this NPA fighter. (Photo by Nonoy Espina)

In addition, the CPP directed its members in the cities to carry out similar mass campaigns, while raising demands for mass testing and other public health measures.

“In fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, the Filipino people must draw lessons and inspiration from the victories and achievements they have accumulated through collective action,” the CPP said.

The CPP also pointed out that the Filipino must take action and resist what it calls “repressive measures” adopted by the Rodrigo Duterte government to control the spread of Covid-19.

It also urged Filipinos to “raise their call for the president’s ouster to make him answer for his criminal sabotage of the public health care system.”

The CPP called on the Filipino people to surmount the Covid-19 pandemic by acting as one, “as they have achieved numerous victories in their revolutionary struggle for national and social liberation.”

Celebration in Negros

In Negros Island, the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command (AGC) of the NPA today celebrated the guerrilla army’s anniversary with a program.

AGC-NPA spokesperon Juanito Magbanua. (Photo by Nonoy Espina)

The event was marked by the presence of AGC spokesperson Juanito Magbanua, one of the high profile guerrilla leaders in the island.

Speeches and a cultural program were presented during the celebration.

A New People’s Army guerrilla reads from “Ispading,” the Negros rebels’ cultural publication. (Photo by Nonoy Espina)

Both the NPA and the Duterte government are currently on ceasefire after each party declared their respective unilateral truce orders to allow both of their forces to respond to the Covid-19 emergency throughout the country. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

A Red fighters walks past the makeshift “stage” in the NPA’s celebration of its 51st founding anniversary today in Negros Island. (Photo by Nonoy Espina)
NPA fighters in Negros Island celebrate their army’s 51st founding anniversary. (Photo by Nonoy Espina)