Army reports NPA raising permit-to-campaign fees from local pols

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb. 10 (PNA) -- The New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Visayas have started raising funds through the collection of permit to campaign and permit to win fees ahead of campaign period for local candidates, the Philippine Army confirmed.

Maj. Gen. Jet Velarmino, commanding general of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said they have been receiving reports that rebels kicked off their traditional fund raising activities during election period.

“We are calling local government officials not to give in to this extortion activity. On our part, we intensify our campaign in identified areas where NPAs are moving around,” Velarmino told reporters.

The government troops have been stepping up their watch on the movements of the estimated 400 armed rebels in the region. Majority of them are in Samar provinces.

“We have been very active in addressing this problem because we have received many reports from villages of NPA extortion,” the army official said.

“The NPAs usually approach candidates with financial capability. We are assessing threats of politicians to find out if they can avail security assistance,” he added.

The rebels collect money from politicians who want to access NPA-influenced communities. The amount generated through extortion will be used to launch more attacks against the government.

Some rebels have been making some noise to politicians who have already filed their certificates of candidacy since late last year.

The 8th Infantry Division has 5,000 soldiers and most of them are assigned in NPA-infested towns in Samar provinces. (PNA)
FFC/SQM