This week’s milestone

March 26 to April 1

March 29, 1969

The Communist Party of the Philippines led by Jose Maria Sison formed the New People’s Army (NPA) as its armed wing in Tarlac province. Bernabe Buscayno (alias Kumander Dante) headed the NPA membership of 60 fighters.

March 30, 2014

The Philippine government filed a memorandum in the United Nations arbitration court to defend the country’s nine shoals and reefs in the West Philippine Sea illegally occupied by China.

March 31, 1521
The first Catholic Mass in the Philippines was celebrated in the town of Limasawa in Southern Leyte province. Officiated by Fr. Pedro de Valderama, it was attended by Ferdinand Magellan, Spanish soldiers and natives. Carlos V. Francisco later depicted this mass in his mural, “First Mass at Limasawa.”

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, Official Calendar of the Republic, gov.ph, pangasinan.gov.ph, CCP Encyclopedia