Communism in the Philippines

Communism in the Philippines emerged in the first half of the 20th century during the period of American colonial rule, stemming from labor unions and peasant groups. The communist movement has had multiple periods of popularity and relevance to the national affairs of the country, most notably during the Second World War and the Martial Law Era periods. Currently the communist movement is forced underground and is considered to be by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as an insurgent movement.

The Communist movement in the Philippines officially began in 1930 with the formation of the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (Communist Party of the Philippines). The party was outlawed in 1932 by a decision from the Supreme Court, but was technically legalized in 1938. During the Second World War the PKP played a part in guerrilla warfare against the Japanese Occupation forces by way of the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (HUKBALAHAP, The Nation's Army Against the Japanese). The PKP took a more moderate stance, supporting efforts by the Osmena administration for social reform, before fully committing itself to the support of armed struggle by the Huks. Efforts by the government under Elpidio Quirino and Ramon Magsaysay eventually thwarted the insurrection, culminating with the surrender of the Huk supremo, Luis Taruc, in 1954. The PKP was again officially outlawed by the government, this time by virtue of Republic Act 1700, or the Anti-Subversion Act. By this time the PKP shifted its focus from armed struggle to a parliamentary one. Major arrests occurred during this period, the biggest one being the arrest of the secretary-general of the PKP, Jesus Lava, in 1964.

In 1968, a new Communist Party of the Philippines was formed by Amado Guerrero (alias of Jose Maria Sison). Its military arm, the New People's Army, was formed the next year and was headed by Commander Dante (alias of Bernabe Buscayno). The CPP-Mao Tse Tsung Thought splintered from the old PKP, clashing with it ideologically, reflecting the Sino-Soviet Split. The CPP and the NPA fought against the Philippine government during the time of the Marcos dictatorship. In 1972, at the onset of Martial Law, Sison was arrested and sentenced to jail for 9 years. He has since been in exile.

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