Army’s 7th ID urges local candidates not to give in to extortionists

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): Army’s 7th ID urges local candidates not to give in to extortionists

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija -- The 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division of the Philippine Army has called on the local political candidates not to give-in to any extortion demands by armed lawless groups.

Brig. Gen Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr., commander of the 7ID, said the armed lawless groups who claimed to have control over some areas are just extortionist trying to take advantage of the political candidates.

“I would like to emphasize, especially to our political candidates, that there are no more influenced barangays by those armed lawless groups in the whole area of responsibility of 7th Infantry Division,” Catapang said.

He said that security measures have been intensified to stop those kinds of illegal activities. However, he said the efforts of the military and the Philippine National Police (PNP) would not succeed without the cooperation of the political candidates.

“I appeal for your (political candidates) cooperation to deny any extortion demands by those armed lawless groups, 7ID is willing to provide area security during campaign period especially on far-flung areas by coordinating with us,” he said.

Catapang also encouraged local political candidates to ask their constituents with expired license or firearms without license to turn over to the nearest PNP for proper documentation and disposition. Those loose firearms might be used as an instrument for illegal activity during the election period, he said.

Likewise, he appealed to all local political candidates within regions 1 and 3 to cooperate for a peaceful and secure and fair election (SAFE).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=499510