Jose Maria Sison vs Nur Misuari

Sison re-established the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) along Maoist lines, breaking from the old Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas. The CPP launched a protracted people's war against the Philippine state, becoming one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies.

Sison established the New People's Army (NPA) as the armed wing of the CPP. The NPA began guerrilla operations in rural areas, targeting government forces and infrastructure. The group has been designated a terrorist organization by the Philippines and the US.

Sison was arrested by the Marcos regime and imprisoned for seven years. During his detention, he continued to direct the CPP/NPA through written orders smuggled out of prison. He was released in 1986 after the People Power Revolution.

After the 1986 revolution, Sison went into self-exile in the Netherlands. From there, he continued to lead the CPP/NPA, issuing directives and negotiating peace talks with the Philippine government. He remains in exile as of 2024.

Misuari established the MNLF to fight for Moro independence from the Philippines. The group launched an armed insurgency in Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, and Palawan, leading to decades of conflict that killed over 100,000 people.

Under Misuari's leadership, the MNLF launched large-scale attacks on Philippine military positions in Mindanao. The insurgency peaked in the mid-1970s, with the MNLF controlling large areas of the countryside and engaging in conventional battles.

Misuari signed a peace agreement with the Marcos government in Tripoli, Libya, brokered by Muammar Gaddafi. The agreement promised autonomy for Muslim Mindanao but was never fully implemented, leading to renewed fighting.

After the Tripoli Agreement failed, Misuari went into exile in Libya and later Malaysia. From abroad, he continued to lead the MNLF, securing foreign support and training for his fighters. He returned to the Philippines in 1996 after a new peace deal.