Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

warfare. Jose Maria Sison, the Chairman of the CPP’s Central Committee and the NPA’s
founder, reportedly directs CPP and NPA activity from the Netherlands, where he lives in selfimposed
exile. Luis Jalandoni, a fellow Central Committee member and director of the CPP’s
overt political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF), also lives in the Netherlands and has
become a Dutch citizen. Though primarily a rural-based guerrilla group, the NPA had an active
urban infrastructure to support its terrorist activities and, at times, used city-based assassination
squads.
Activities: The CPP/NPA primarily targeted Philippine security forces, government officials,
local infrastructure, and businesses that refused to pay extortion, or “revolutionary taxes.” The
CPP/NPA charged politicians running for office in CPP/NPA-influenced areas for “campaign
permits.” Despite its focus on Philippine governmental targets, the CPP/NPA has a history of
attacking U.S. interests in the Philippines. In 1987, the CPP/NPA conducted direct actions
against U.S. personnel and facilities killing three American soldiers in four separate attacks in
Angeles City. In 1989, the CPP/NPA issued a press statement claiming responsibility for the
ambush and murder of Colonel James Nicholas Rowe, chief of the Ground Forces Division of
the Joint U.S.-Military Advisory Group.
For many years, the CPP/NPA carried out killings, raids, acts of extortion, and other forms of
violence. In 2011 and 2012, the CPP/NPA’s attacks and kidnappings continued unabated. In
2011, the CPP/NPA was responsible for detonating a landmine improvised explosive device in
Illuro Sur, Philippines, that killed five and injured two police officers; killing two civilians when
50 CPP/NPA assailants fired upon a police checkpoint in Trento, Philippines; and kidnapping the
Mayor of Lingig and two of his bodyguards before releasing the hostages in a prisoner swap.
In early January 2012, the group attacked a Philippine Army Patrol Base on the island of
Mindanao. In May, an attack resulted in the CPP/NPA capturing one Philippine soldier and
wounding four civilians, including one child. Further clashes between the CPP/NPA and
government caused the displacement of approximately 700 individuals from their homes. Peace
talks between the government and CPP/NPA were halted in the summer of 2012.
Strength: The Philippines government estimates there are 4,000 members.
Location/Area of Operation: The CPP/NPA operates in rural Luzon, Visayas, and parts of
northern and eastern Mindanao. There are also cells in Manila and other metropolitan centers.
Funding and External Aid: The CPP/NPA raises funds through extortion.
CONTINUITY IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY
aka Continuity Army Council; Continuity IRA; Republican Sinn Fein
Description: Designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on July 13, 2004, the Continuity
Irish Republican Army (CIRA) is a terrorist splinter group formed in 1994 as the clandestine
armed wing of Republican Sinn Fein; it split from Sinn Fein in 1986. “Continuity” refers to the
group’s belief that it is carrying on the original Irish Republican Army’s (IRA) goal of forcing
the British out of Northern Ireland. CIRA cooperates with the larger Real IRA (RIRA).
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