On 26 May 2020, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of the Philippines offered a bounty for information leading to the capture of the top commanders of the New People’s Army who the Philippines military has been battling in various locations throughout the country.

According to a press release issued by the military, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) “continues to degrade the Communist New People’s Army Terrorists” with 119 surrendering, two being killed and three apprehended in intense military operations between 17 and 23 May 2020. A separate report from the AFP states that 186 rebels have been killed since January 2020.

The New People’s Army is designated as a terrorist organisation by the Philippines, and by the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the European Union.

Jose Maria Sison the founder of the allied Communist Party of the Philippines currently has had asylum in the Netherlands since 1992 from where he continues to agitate for “people’s democratic revolution through protracted people war”.

In separate news, it was reported by the Manila Times that Philippines Navy are returning from India following repairs at an Indian naval repair yard in Cochin.