The New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Visayas have started
raising funds through the collection of permit to campaign and permit to win
fees ahead of campaign period for local candidates, the Philippine Army
confirmed.
Maj. Gen. Jet Velarmino, commanding general of the
Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said they have been receiving reports
that rebels kicked off their traditional fund raising activities during
election period.
“We are calling local government officials not to give in to
this extortion activity. On our part, we intensify our campaign in identified
areas where NPAs are moving around,” Velarmino told reporters.
The government troops have been stepping up their watch on
the movements of the estimated 400 armed rebels in the region. Majority of them
are in Samar provinces.
“We have been very active in addressing this problem because
we have received many reports from villages of NPA extortion,” the army
official said.
“The NPAs usually approach candidates with financial
capability. We are assessing threats of politicians to find out if they can
avail security assistance,” he added.
The rebels collect money from politicians who want to access
NPA-influenced communities. The amount generated through extortion will be used
to launch more attacks against the government.
Some rebels have been making some noise to politicians who
have already filed their certificates of candidacy since late last year.
The 8th Infantry Division has 5,000 soldiers and most of
them are assigned in NPA-infested towns in Samar
provinces.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=855399
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