The
military here said Friday the communist New Peoples Army has forcibly collected
more than Php 40 million worth of protection money from farmers, businessmen
and even politicians in North Cotabato .
Lt.
Colonel Nilo Vinluan, commander of the 57th Infantry Battalion, said the NPA's
Front 53 and Front 54 have been collecting revolutionary taxes from
multi-national firms least they will be subjected to harassment and bombing or
torching of company facilities.
"We
have documents to show that they have been collecting protection money from
businessmen, ordinary farmers and politicians who have no choices but give away
the past two years," Vinluan told reporters.
The
57th IB is operating in the towns of President Roxas, Antipas, Arakan,
Makilala, Magpet and Kidapawan
City
Among
ordinary farmers, Vinluan said NPAs collect five centavos for every kilo of
rubber cup lump.
During
election campaign period, the NPAs collect permit to campaign fee for
politicians to allow them campaign sorties in communities where they have
influenced.
“We
have reports that they collect bigger amounts from big corporations and rubber
farms,” Vinluan said.
Local
government units in the province are also victims of NPA extortions, Vinluan
said.
Mayor
Jaime Mahimpit of President Roxas survived an NPA attack last January for
refusing to give to the rebels extortion activities.
The
rebels were extorting money from the local government units to ensure that the
road project in a remote village will be safe.
Vinluan
said Mayor Mahimpit refused to give in and came to the village to explain to
the rebels that the project was intended for the benefit of villagers who are
mostly relatives and supporters of communist movement.
On
his way to the remote village, the NPA set off a land mine that slightly hurt
the local official and also wounded his four police escorts.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=632306
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