NPA demanding as high as P5 million from E. Visayas local bets, says Army

From InterAksyon (Jan 25): NPA demanding as high as P5 million from E. Visayas local bets, says Army

The New People's Army (NPA) is demanding as high as P5 million from local candidates in Eastern Visayas as a "permit to campaign," according to the Philippine Army. Captain Gene Orense, spokesman of the Army's 8th Infantry Division, on Friday said they recovered documents detailing the supposed extortion activities of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee NPA for the coming midterm elections.

Based on documents from the military, the NPA in Eastern Visayas is collecting so-called permit-to-campaign and permit-to-win fees ranging from as low as P50,000 for councilor bets and as high as P5 million for gubernatorial candidates.

Other fees are P75,000 for those running for vice mayor; P100,000 for candidates for mayor and board member; P500,000 for candidates for congressman and vice governor. Aside from these fees, the NPA is also reportedly demanding P180,000 or high-powered firearms from candidates.  Orense appealed to local candidates to refrain from giving money to the NPA.

“We are making an appeal to all local candidates for the May 2013 elections to refuse any offer of PTC/PTW fees by the NPAs, but instead let us work together through the spirit of ‘Bayanihan’ in ensuring a secured and fair election,” he said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/53567/npa-demanding-as-high-as-p5-million-from-e--visayas-local-bets-says-army