DWDD: SAFE 2016 // AFP to conduct ‘focused-military operations’ vs rebels extorting from pols

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Jan 12): SAFE 2016 // AFP to conduct ‘focused-military operations’ vs rebels extorting from pols



Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City — In line with efforts to safeguard the May 2016 polls, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced it will conduct “focused-military operations” against rebel groups conducting extortion missions against politicians.

“We (will) conduct focused-military operations after those (rebels),” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said.

He added this is part of the AFP’s action plan to prevent rebels and lawless groups from interfering in the incoming elections.

Aside from this, Detoyato urged politicians not to give to the New People’s Army (NPA) election extortion scheme.

“The NPAs call it ‘permit-to-campaign’ and ‘permit-to-win’ but we simply call it extortion, so if it extortion, don’t give in to extortionists,” he added.

Detoyato said they are constantly monitoring the situation on the field.

“We are (encouraging) them to report it to the Commission on Elections, to the police, to the nearest military (unit) so that we can take proper action,” Detoyato said.

The military official said the AFP, while doing everything to counter the NPA extortion threat, is dependent on the information provided by the public.

Detoyato added that giving in to the rebels’ extortion threat means additional funds for the latter’s violent activities.

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/afp-to-conduct-focused-military-operations-vs-rebels-extorting-from-pols/