MANILA — The National Security Council (NSC) on Friday highlighted the continuing threat posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP–NPA) and urged remaining armed elements to lay down their weapons and return to lawful civilian life.

In a statement, the NSC said the CPP–NPA’s 57-year armed campaign has resulted in loss of lives, displacement, economic disruption, and persistent insecurity, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged rural communities. Recent armed encounters, including incidents that caused fatalities during the holiday period, demonstrate that violence remains an active means to pursue their objectives.

The NSC criticized declarations of temporary ceasefires that are coupled with calls for continued armed readiness, describing them as insincere gestures that do not prioritize public safety or community welfare.

The council reiterated that under the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD), implemented through the Whole-of-Nation framework led by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), democratic dissent and advocacy for reform are legitimate and protected, but the use of armed violence to achieve political goals is not.

“Resorting to force undermines lawful political processes and marginalizes communities by imposing political agendas through coercion rather than consent,” the NSC said.

The government’s approach under NAP-UPD emphasizes lawful, development-centered, and people-focused measures, including disengagement and reintegration programs, livelihood and social support, strengthened local governance, and interventions addressing long-standing grievances while upholding human rights and the rule of law. Amnesty continues to be offered to qualified former rebels as a pathway back to peaceful civilian life.

The NSC also called on the public, civil society, and especially the youth to reject the romanticization of violence and support peaceful and lawful avenues for participation and reform, stressing that ending the conflict requires collective resolve.