NPA ‘revolutionary tax’ collector yields in Davao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 18): NPA ‘revolutionary tax’ collector yields in Davao

A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) who described herself as a "revolutionary tax collector", surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 71st Infantry Battalion (71IB) on Wednesday, five years after joining the organization.

Capt. Jerry Lamosao, Army 10th Infantry Division spokesperson, identified the surrenderer only as Fiona, 42, a resident of Maragusan town, Compostela Valley.

Fiona surrendered to the 71IB under Lt. Col. Esteveyn Ducusin based in Nueva Visayas, Mawab town.

Lamosao said on Thursday that Fiona figured in many extortion activities being the “revolutionary tax collector" of the NPA's Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 2. She was also the former sub-section secretary and counsel of the Hugpong Mag-Uuma sa Walog Compostela.

According to him, Fiona revealed during a debriefing that the NPA targets businessmen, politicians, mining and logging firms, and even store owners in their extortion activities.

Fiona also described herself as an organizer of NPA-supported anti-government mass demonstrations and rallies throughout the Davao region.

Ducusin assured that Fiona will receive government assistance for NPA surrenderers to help her live a normal life and contribute to the government’s peace building efforts.

Lamosao said an increasing number of NPA regulars and members of the Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad have surrendered to the government.

NPA surrenderers this month include two NPA regulars, nine Militia ng Bayan members, and seven underground supporters. The rebel group, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1059293