NPA still a threat to May polls — AFP

From the Daily Tribune (Jan 13): NPA still a threat to May polls — AFP

The communist New People’s Army (NPA) remains the number one threat to the May national elections, the military said yesterday.

Col. Noel Detoyato, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Public Affairs Office (AFP-PAO), said that the presence of armed communist rebels in different parts of the country poses threat to the peaceful conduct of the May 9 presidential polls.

“NPA is still the threat because of their propensity to conduct extortion activities,” Detoyato said.

“Unlike other armed threat groups that are confined in certain areas only, the NPAs maintain presence in various parts of the country,” he added.

According to Detoyato, the military has been receiving reports that the NPA has already started collecting permits to campaign and permits to win in their areas of operation.

He said that the money collected by the NPAs through “extortion” is used for more violence.

Detoyato said that the military, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), is taking solid action to thwart the communist activities.

“We urge those targeted by these NPA activities not to give in to extortion,” Detoyato said.

Meanwhile, the military also claimed that the videos showing Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits claiming affiliation with jihadist group Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIS) are nothing but propaganda.

“Our reaction remains consistent, that this is a continuing attempt by local terrorists to attract attention. There remains no credible, verified and direct connection to the bigger group in the Middle East up to this time,” AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said.

Earlier, a video showing ASG high-ranking leader Isnilon Hapilon and other ranking bandit leaders pledging allegiance to ISIS circulated online.

“The AFP is already taking proactive measures in preventing the spread of extremist ideology and terrorist activities in the country,” he added.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/npa-still-a-threat-to-may-polls-afp