NPA fee illegal, say Liberals

From the Manila Standard Today (Mar 20): NPA fee illegal, say Liberals

Surigao City—The New People’s Army (NPA) demand up to P1 million payment for “campaign permit” of local candidates campaigning for elections in May in Caraga Region, one of the remaining hotbeds of four decades of Communist insurgency in Mindanao, Sen. Franklin Drilon said on Tuesday.

He condemned what he described as extortion by Communist rebels and called on local politicians to ignore the NPA demand because it was the best way to stop their illegal activities.

“Mayors are being asked to contribute anywhere from P800,000 to P1 million. Nakakalungkot … ngunit nangyayari,” Drilon said.

Caraga, one of the poorest regions in the country, is composed of the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. It is one of the areas where the NPA remained active.

Drilon, campaign manager of the administration coalition Team PNoy, lead a campaign swing in the area, including a stumping tour in the cities of Bayugan and Butuan on Tuesday.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/03/20/npa-fee-illegal-say-liberals/