P5M FOR GOVERNOR | AFP bares alleged NPA 'tariff' for candidates

From InterAksyon (Feb 16): P5M FOR GOVERNOR | AFP bares alleged NPA 'tariff' for candidates

A purported NPA campaign to permit the military says the rebels issued to candidates during the 2010 elections. (image from 8ID, Philippine Army)

 

The New People's Army is allegedly charging as much as P5 million from candidates running for governor in the May elections, the military claimed.

 

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Colonal Arnulfo Burgos on Friday disclosed a list of what he said were the “fees” charged by communist rebels from candidates seeking “permits to campaign” and even supposed “permits to win” in areas the NPA claims control of. The alleged "fees" are:

• Governor - P 5 million
• Vice Governor/Congressman – P500,000
• Provincial Board Member/Mayor – P100,000
• Vice Mayor – P75,000
• Councilor – P50,000

Burgos said the military has intensified operations to prevent the rebels from extorting from and harassing candidates following the recovery from an NPA camp in Eastern Visayas of documents pertaining to an “electoral alliance fee” from candidates.
The AFP spokesman said the NPA issued color-coded permits to candidates in the 2010 elections.

A blue card, for example, was worth P2 million or more and was offered to congressional and gubernatorial candidates.

Yellow, green and red cards, priced between P10,000 to P500,000, were issued to other candidates.

The cards bore serial numbers and the signature of the local NPA leader, with a guarantee that, “The People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) through the NPA, allows the bearer to campaign within the PRG/NPA guerilla territories in accordance with the provisions stated at the back."

Burgos said the NPA has started demanding the campaign fees in parts of Northern Luzon and Eastern Visayas and appealed to politicians not to give in to the demands because these are violations of the right to assembly, freedom of movement and other basic human rights.

The rebel scheme also "disenfranchises eligible voters who reside in the so-called 'territories' of these non-state actors from fully exercising their right to suffrage," he said.

Last year, the NPA reportedly collected a total of P25 million from extortion, or the so-called revolutionary taxes the rebels demand from businesses.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55107/p5m-for-governor--afp-bares-alleged-npa-tariff-for-candidates