NPA a threat to barangay, SK polls, says military

From Malaya Business Insight (Apr 16): NPA a threat to barangay, SK polls, says military

THE Armed Forces yesterday said it sees the New People’s Army as a threat to the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, particularly in Eastern Mindanao where the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines has a strong presence.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, commander of the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City, said the NPA is expected to stage violent activities to “influence” results of the elections scheduled for May 14, aside from the usual collection of “permit to campaign” and “permit to win” fees from candidates.

“They are a threat, especially in the far-flung areas. We all know that they want to establish (power), especially in the far areas so they will try to influence,” Madrigal said.

Military estimates place the NPA strength at about 3,700 men throughout the country as of end 2017. About half of them are operating in Eastern Mindanao.

The Eastmincom has jurisdiction over the Davao and Caraga regions and parts of the Northern Mindanao and Soccsksargen regions.

Records from the Commission on Elections show there are 5,690 barangays in the Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Soccsksargen regions, out of the total 42,036 barangays in the country, based on the record of the interior department as of December 2017.

The election period began on April 14 with the start of the filing of candidacies.

Madrigal said NPA rebels may endorse the candidacy of those who are members of their so-called “organized masses.”

“They will try to influence who will win,” he said.

On the collection of permit to campaign and permit to win fees, Madrigal said it is an “opportunity” for the communists to earn.

Maj. Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesman, said Eastmincom officials are coordinating with the PNP to ensure peaceful and orderly elections.

“We already had meetings to come up with joint military and police security plan,” said Balagtey.

“The NPA wants to influence the elections. Also, we see them resorting to their permit-to-campaign and permit-to-win scheme for their fund-raising activity. That’s why military operations in the barangays are very crucial,” he added.

Balagtey also said government forces will remain aggressive in the conduct of focused military operations. He said intelligence operations will also be sustained to monitor “critical areas” where the rebels may resort to election-related extortion.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin said the military can be deputized by the Commission on Elections to establish checkpoints to contain any threat.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/npa-threat-barangay-sk-polls-says-military