From the Countryside to the Cities: NCR now Ground Zero of CPP–NPA–NDF Disinformation

February 05, 2026

NTF-ELCAC MEDIA BUREAU

Ref: Dr. Joel M. Sy Egco, DPSSG, MPSA

09155506969

February 05, 2026

From the Countryside to the Cities: NCR now Ground Zero of CPP–NPA–NDF Disinformation

With communist insurgency steadily losing ground in the countryside, the battle has decisively shifted to the cities, with Metro Manila now emerging as the primary ground zero of Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP–NPA–NDF) disinformation operations, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict Executive Director Ernesto Torres Jr. said.

In a statement, Torres underscored that the National Capital Region (NCR) has long been a critical theater in the government’s campaign against the CPP-NPA-NDF, noting that its role has become even more pronounced as armed conflict in rural areas continues to weaken.

“As the political, economic, and information hub of the country, NCR is deliberately targeted as a primary battleground for propaganda and psychological operations,” Torres said, pointing to the extensive use of digital platforms and social media ecosystems to sow distrust, distort realities, and agitate the public against the government.

"Metro Manila is now a critical front in this struggle, and how we defend the truth here will shape peace and stability not only in the capital, but across the nation," he pointed out.

According to Torres, the recent surge of coordinated online activity—largely driven by NCR-based front organizations—reflects a strategic recalibration by the communist movement. With diminished influence, recruitment, and mass support in the regions, these groups are now attempting to manufacture relevance in the urban information space and project artificial influence outward.

“This is not a display of strength. It is a manifestation of desperation,” he said.

Torres stressed that the information domain has become a decisive front in the post-conflict phase, warning that terrorist-grooming, disinformation, misinformation, hate speech, and calculated falsehoods pose a direct threat to hard-earned peace gains.

“Countering these narratives is no longer optional—it is a shared responsibility,” he said, calling on both the public and government peace communicators to take an active role in defending the truth.

“We are called upon not merely to communicate, but to become deliberate communicators of peace, grounded in truth, credibility, and public service,” Torres stressed.

He emphasized that current communication efforts are anchored on the National Action Plan on Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD) 2025–2028, which adopts a whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approach to addressing the root causes of armed conflict, sustaining peace gains, and strengthening community resilience.

Within this framework, Torres outlined three key priorities for peace communication.

First is unifying the peace constituency across sectors through consistent, values-driven messaging aligned with the NAP-UPD message house. Second is proactive narrative-building that highlights peace dividends, best practices, and concrete results of whole-of-government and whole-of-society efforts. Third is the intensification of digital engagement, particularly among the youth, through partnerships with schools, universities, youth organizations, and online communities.

Torres said these efforts are critical in promoting peace-oriented values, countering radicalization, and empowering young Filipinos as advocates of unity, responsible citizenship, and nation-building.

He concluded by calling for full and unequivocal commitment from the public and all government peace communicators, stressing that Metro Manila is now a critical front in shaping the national narrative.

“How we defend the truth in NCR will shape peace and stability not only in the capital, but across the nation,” Torres said.