NCR as Ground Zero: From Rural Insurgency to Urban Disinformation Warfare

February 4, 2026

It has long been underscored that the National Capital Region remains a critical theater in our nation’s campaign against the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front. As the political, economic, and information hub of the country, NCR is deliberately targeted by communist terrorist groups as a primary battleground for propaganda and psychological operations—most notably through digital platforms and social media ecosystems designed to sow distrust, distort realities, and agitate the public against the government.

Today, as insurgency continues to weaken in the countryside, we are witnessing a clear shift of struggle—from rural armed confrontation to urban disinformation. Metro Manila has now become the ground zero of CPP–NPA–NDF propaganda. The surge of coordinated online activity, largely driven by NCR-based front organizations, reflects an attempt to manufacture relevance and project influence toward regions where their narratives are already failing. This is not strength. This is desperation.

In this context, I call on the public and on all government peace communicators to recognize that the information domain is now a decisive front.

Countering disinformation, misinformation, hate speech and calculated falsehoods is no longer optional—it is a shared responsibility. We are called upon not merely to communicate, but to become deliberate communicators of peace, grounded in truth, credibility, and public service.

This call is anchored on a clear collective resolve to harmonize messaging and defend the information space from manipulation.

Our communication efforts are firmly anchored on the National Action Plan on Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD) 2025–2028. This framework embodies a whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approach that addresses the root causes of armed conflict, sustains peace gains, and strengthens community resilience.

In line with this, I urge government peace communicators and our partners in civil society to pursue three decisive courses of action.

First, we must work relentlessly to unify the peace constituency across sectors, with messaging that is consistent, values-driven, and firmly grounded in truth—clearly aligned with the NAP-UPD message house—to promote peace, security, and inclusive development.

Second, we must lead in proactive narrative-building. We have to deliberately highlight peace dividends, best practices, and success stories that show how whole-of-government and whole-of-society efforts tangibly improve the lives of our people. We must no longer allow false narratives to dominate public discourse. The narrative space must be led by facts, credibility, and results.

Third, we must significantly intensify digital engagement, particularly among the youth. In alignment with the national #BuildPeaceBetter movement, we must strengthen partnerships with schools, universities, youth organizations, and online communities.

Through these engagements, we can promote peace-oriented values, counter radicalization, and empower young Filipinos as advocates of unity, responsible citizenship, and nation-building.

We call on the public and all government peace communicators to commit—fully and unequivocally—to this effort. Through disciplined execution, unified messaging, and active public participation, we can cultivate informed, resilient, and peace-oriented communities. 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.

USec. Ernesto C Torres Jr.

Executive Director

NS, NTF-ELCAC