Communist guerillas in North Cotabato
have been raking in at least P11 million a month from traders and some
politicians, an Army official today said.
Colonel Nilo Vinluan, 57th Infantry Battalion commander,
said the New People's Army (NPA) is making money through extortion.
For those who ignored the mulcting activities, their
business or construction equipment and properties are subjected to harassment.
Vinluan said annually, the NPA in North
Cotabato towns has been collecting about P100 million.
“Ang mga NPA ay kumikita ng milyon mula sa mga negosyante at
ilang pulitiko mula pa 2013 (They have been earning from our traders and
politicians since 2013),” Vinluan said.
Those who ignored the NPA extortion activities were
subjected to harassment, business were attacked, threatened ot their equipment
torched as in the case of private construction companies.
“The owner told me the rebels have been extorting from them
P11 million. And because they failed, they torched the heavy equipment owned by
Jargon construction firm,” Vinluan told a local radio station, referring to the
firm owner whose equipment were torched by NPAs in Kidapawan City
”Some politicians were also forced to shell out money for
fear of reprisal from the rebel movement,” Vinluan said.
He urged traders to seek police and military protection if
they are harassed by the rebels.
Vinluan said if the traders and politicians continue to
provide funds to the NPA, the extortion cycle will continue.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=715304
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