In the midst of intensifying militarization and increasing violations of human rights by the forces of the Marcos regime, the New People’s Army (NPA) has launched numerous guerrilla actions in the last several weeks in at least five provinces in the Philippines.

According to reports, units of the NPA-Masbate mounted four consecutive operations in the towns of Placer, Dimasalang, and Uson in Masbate province against the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 2nd Infantry Battalion, CAFGU detachments and police troops.

The AFP poured 500 additional troops in addition to at least five battalions of military and police forces stationed in Masbate. According to the NPA-Masbate, the new and old military troops protect the interests of big businesses, mining companies and ecotourism projects which are detrimental to the welfare of the Masbateños.

Meanwhile, on 5 April, Red fighters from the NPA-Albay successfully ambushed police intelligence officers in Homapon, Legaspi City. In Quezon province, the NPA ambushed forces of the 85th IB in Macalelon on 24 March.

A team of the NPA Armando Catapia Command assaulted a detachment of the 9th IB/CAFGU in Labo, Camarines Norte on 1 April. According to NPA-Armando Catapia Command, the said enemy detachment has been protecting the re-entry of the mining company Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corporation.

The NPA-Mindoro repelled the attack of the Police’s 10th Special Action Battalion in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro on 15 March.

In Rizal province near Manila, the NPA-Rizal ambushed the troops of the 80th IB in Rodriguez town on March 31 and defended itself the next day in Montalban. According to NPA-Rizal, the reactionary troops had been harassing the local residents who have been protesting the Wawa and Kaliwa dam projects of big businessmen and cronies Enrique Razon Jr. and Oscar Viologo. Indigenous Dumagat and Remontado  peoples are being displaced from their agricultural lands and residences.