Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) joined in the observance IHL day

 

Ang Bayan Ngayon | August 15, 2026

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) joined the observance of the 77th anniversary of international humanitarian law (IHL) on August 12. IHL Day commemorates the signing of the Geneva Conventions, the documents that guide IHL, in 1949.

The Geneva Conventions consist of four international treaties and three additional protocols. They set out legal standards for the humane treatment of non-combatants in war and provide protection for individuals who are not or are no longer actively participating in armed conflicts.

In observance of IHL Day, the CPP and NPA reaffirmed their readiness to uphold the “Declaration of Compliance with International Humanitarian Law” issued by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines on August 15, 1991. The declaration emphasized the NDFP’s voluntary compliance with Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions and IHL in general.

“Through this formal declaration, the NDF affirms to the Filipino people and the international community its commitment to humanize the conflict as part of its firm pursuit of a just, enduring and liberating peace in the Philippines,” the document stated.

The NDFP’s readiness to abide by IHL was reaffirmed in its push for the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) in the peace talk process with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Representatives of the GRP and NDFP signed the CARHRIHL on March 16, 1998 in The Hague, The Netherlands.

CPP chief information officer Marco L. Valbuena said the Party and the Army strictly comply with these documents in advancing the armed struggle for national liberation from US imperialism and to end the oppressive and exploitative rule of puppet ruling classes. As part of this, Party forces and BHP fighters continuously study documents on IHL.

At the same time, Valbuena held accountable Marcos and his armed forces backed by US imperialists for their violations of human rights and IHL. “It is inflicting the most brutal forms of fascist repression against the masses of workers and peasants, as desperate measures to preserve the ruling system of corruption and oppression,” he said.

Valbuena also expressed solidarity with people around the world in condemning US imperialism and Zionist Israel for launching genocide against the Palestinian people, which are clearly crimes against humanity.