SOME aspiring local officials running in the midterm elections sought the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) help after they received permits to campaign from the New People’s Army.
Lt. Gen. Noel Clement, commander of the AFP Central Command based in Cebu City, said members of the NPA often ask local candidates to present a campaign permit especially during election season. The NPA reportedly gives candidates a campaign permit in exchange for money. The permit is reportedly meant to provide protection to candidates while they are campaigning in the hinterlands.
Clement said that some candidates claimed NPA rebels would ask for P10,000 to P100,000, depending on the position they are running for.
In exchange for money, the NPA rebels would assure the candidates that they will be safe while campaigning in the mountain barangays that they control.
Majority of the candidates who are allegedly being asked for campaign permits are based in Negros Island, Panay and Samar.
There are also aspiring local officials in Cebu who were sent letters by suspected NPA rebels, Clement said.
Clement, though, refused to identify the candidates, saying they have yet to verify the information.
“The NPA will always look forward to an election because this is an opportunity for them to increase their extortion activities,” Clement told reporters on Monday, Feb. 25.
Clement said they aim to neutralize the NPA rebels who are behind the alleged extortion activities.
He also warned aspiring politicians that they could be charged for violating election laws if they are caught giving money to NPA rebels.
Clement urged the public to report officials or aspiring officials who have dealings with the NPA before the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1794288
Lt. Gen. Noel Clement, commander of the AFP Central Command based in Cebu City, said members of the NPA often ask local candidates to present a campaign permit especially during election season. The NPA reportedly gives candidates a campaign permit in exchange for money. The permit is reportedly meant to provide protection to candidates while they are campaigning in the hinterlands.
Clement said that some candidates claimed NPA rebels would ask for P10,000 to P100,000, depending on the position they are running for.
In exchange for money, the NPA rebels would assure the candidates that they will be safe while campaigning in the mountain barangays that they control.
Majority of the candidates who are allegedly being asked for campaign permits are based in Negros Island, Panay and Samar.
There are also aspiring local officials in Cebu who were sent letters by suspected NPA rebels, Clement said.
Clement, though, refused to identify the candidates, saying they have yet to verify the information.
“The NPA will always look forward to an election because this is an opportunity for them to increase their extortion activities,” Clement told reporters on Monday, Feb. 25.
Clement said they aim to neutralize the NPA rebels who are behind the alleged extortion activities.
He also warned aspiring politicians that they could be charged for violating election laws if they are caught giving money to NPA rebels.
Clement urged the public to report officials or aspiring officials who have dealings with the NPA before the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1794288
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