ON the 57th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Friday, the National Security Council (NSC) cited the "heavy toll" on Filipino communities of the group’s decades-long armed campaign to topple the Philippine government, reiterating its call for rebels to lay down their arms. In a statement, the NSC said the CPP-New People’s Army’s (NPA) operations have led to loss of lives, displacement, economic disruption, and persistent insecurity, particularly in remote rural areas. The council noted that armed clashes, including incidents during the holiday season, show that violence remains a tool for pursuing political objectives. The NSC criticized temporary ceasefire declarations as “insincere” when accompanied by continued calls for armed readiness, saying these moves undermine public safety and community welfare. Highlighting the government’s National Action Plan for Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD), implemented under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac), the council emphasized that democratic dissent and advocacy for reform are protected under the Constitution. “The use of armed violence to pursue political objectives is not,” the statement said, adding that coercion marginalizes communities and undermines lawful political processes. The statement outlined the government’s focus on “lawful, development-centered, and people-focused measures” to end the conflict. Programs under NAP-UPD include disengagement and reintegration, livelihood support, strengthened local governance, and targeted interventions addressing long-standing grievances, while upholding human rights and the rule of law. Amnesty remains available for qualified former rebels seeking to return to civilian life. The NSC urged remaining armed elements to surrender and “contribute meaningfully to nation-building,” and called on the public, civil society, and youth to reject the romanticization of violence and support peaceful avenues for reform. “Ending this conflict requires collective resolve to deny violence legitimacy and advance solutions that deliver security, accountability, and tangible development for all Filipinos,” it said.