Agents deployed against NPA rebels

From the Manila Standard Today (Apr 1): Agents deployed against NPA rebels

The military has deployed undercover agents to monitor the extortion activities of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA), demanding payments of up to P5 million from candidates to allow them to campaign in rebel-infested areas called the “red zones,” a military spokesman said on Sunday.

Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said the intelligence units were part of efforts to thwart the NPA extortion and candidates have been warned that permit-to-campaign fees paid to the rebels was illegal.

“We will not let our guard down as we continue our intensified intelligence and monitoring efforts, intelligence exchange with other law-enforcement agencies, and active cooperation with the Philippine National Police to thwart any atrocities, violence and extortion activities,” Burgos said.

Under the NPA “election rates” in Eastern Visayas, candidates for mayor are charged P750,000; candidates for vice mayor, P500,000; candidates for councilor, P5,000. A candidate for governor is charged P5 million.

In Southern Mindanao, the candidates for mayor are asked to pay P150,000; vice mayor, P100,000; and councilor, P20,000.

Burgos said the NPA has sent letters to candidates in Northern Luzon and Eastern Visayas since February informing them of the “election rates.”

“Records show that in 2012, the NPA has collected a total of P25.5 million through their extortion activities,” Burgos said.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/04/01/agents-deployed-against-npa-rebels/