Army: No private armed groups intended for elections in Negros Island

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 14): Army: No private armed groups intended for elections in Negros Island

Col. Francisco Delfin, commander of the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, said the army has not monitored the existence of private armed groups in Negros Island that maybe used during the elections.

Delfin added that they were monitoring instead the presence of armed groups, although in small numbers, engaged in food foraging mission in southern Negros.

Our soldiers are responding to it, he added.

Delfin also reminded candidates not to pay the so-called “permit to campaign” fees charged by the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Do not yield to NPA extortion activities. (The payment) will be used against the government,” he said.

Delfin said they had not received complaints from candidates so far.

The Army soldiers are very active in the interior areas of Negros Island to prevent any possible terroristic activities of lawless elements, he added.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has warned candidates that they could face disqualification for paying “permit to campaign” fees.

The NPA rebels charge fees, depending on the position a candidate is seeking and the area where the rebels operate.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=846630