The Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People's Army in central Negros ordered the arrest and punishment of candidates for the May 9 elections, who possess firearms and are maintaining armed goons.
In a tape-recorded statement, rebel spokesman Ka JB Regalado, said the order of arrest covers all candidates aspiring for local and national positions in the government.
Regalado said the use of guns and maintaining private armed goons may be used by candidates to intimidate the people for their personal interest.
The Commission on Election is also verifying raw information on presence of armed men in the 1st and 5th districts of Negros Occidental.
Senior Supt. William Senoron, officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said they only monitored the presence of armed rebels in the hinterlands.
The campaign period for candidates vying for national positions started Feb. 9, while that for local candidates will start on March 25.
The Philippine Army and National Police vowed to go after those who undermine the electoral process in Negros island.
Regalado issued the warning as he admitted that they were responsible for the death of a certain Kingsley Sangilan on Jan. 10 in Sitio Bonacao, Brgy. Mandapatan, La Libertad, Negros Oriental.
He linked Sangilan to a murder incident in 2012, among others.
Regalado also warned those who engage in the illegal drug trade, that they will not hesitate to punish them.
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