National Security Adviser Urges Communist Party to Embrace Political Solution for Youth

In a recent statement, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año encouraged the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to pursue a political settlement. He believes this would benefit the party’s younger members by redirecting their efforts toward constructive nation-building activities. Año highlighted that the CPP’s influence has significantly waned, with its armed faction, the New People’s Army, now engaging mostly in minor criminal acts rather than significant military operations. He described the current state of the CPP as a ‘disillusioned and depleted force,’ suggesting that their outdated approach no longer aligns with the aspirations of Filipinos. Año, also serving as the vice-chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, pointed out that there are more pressing issues like territorial defense, climate action, and social justice that require attention and could benefit from the contributions of former CPP members. He emphasized that these are the battles worth fighting, as they foster unity and progress rather than division and destruction. On the occasion of the CPP’s 56th anniversary, Año called on its members to reconsider their stance, noting that the Filipino populace now seeks peace, development, and unity, and that continuing a violent struggle goes against these national goals.