Army: Five politicians maintain link with rebels

From The Daily Guardian (Feb 15): Army: Five politicians maintain link with rebels

THE Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion has identified at least five politicians who maintain links with the New People’s Army (NPA).



But Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot Jr., 61st IB commander, declined to name these elected local officials who are serving in the battalion’s areas of responsibility.

The 61st IB covers 81 municipalities in the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, and Guimaras.
“These are the local officials na mayroong nakapaligid sa kanila na mga nag-lie low na NPA combatants,” Magbalot said.

He said these politicians employed rebels as bodyguards and used them to connect to the NPA group.

“Freely, nakaka-akyat sila sa bundok para mangampanya,” he said.

Magbalot said the voters already know these politicians, thus they should be circumspect on their choices.

Weeks ago, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) confirmed that some politicians – incumbent and those running for elections – are employing private armed groups (PAGs) and NPA in their bid for public offices.

But Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, Western Visayas police chief, declined to go into details as they are still validating the reports. He did mention that one of the politicians is an incumbent congressman.

Bulalacao said they also have a list of mayors who seek help from the NPA in their campaigns.

These reports came in the heels of allegations that the NPA has gone active in its purported extortion activities in the guise of permit to campaign (PTC) fees.

The PTC fees will supposedly give candidates access to NPA strongholds.

The NPAs allegedly sent letters to candidates urging them to pay a certain amount so that they can campaign smoothly.

The fees vary depending on the areas and the elective post a candidate is seeking.

Aside from PTC fees, the rebels are also asking for permit to win (PTW) fees from candidates.

By paying the PTW fee, the NPAs allegedly ensures the victory of a candidate.

The Department of Interior and Local Government in January warned local government officials and candidates against paying PTC and PTW fees.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año issued Memorandum Circular 2018-11 reminding local executives that “giving any form of support to communist rebels” is a violation.

The memorandum added that local peace and order councils must recommend sanctions against violators, if any.

DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya even said that the DILG may also file other charges pursuant to the Revised Penal Code and other related laws.

Malaya urged the filing of disqualification case against all candidates who will be proven to have cooperated with the rebels relative to the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code.

Meanwhile, Atty. Roberto Salazar, COMELEC-Iloilo provincial election supervisor, said they also discourage candidates from paying PTC and PTW fees.

“We would engage the PNP and AFP to intensify their respective operations in so far as these problems are concerned,” he said.

Salazar said they would publicly encourage voters to report these demands, and, if necessary, “we would be deploying troops in their areas once these reports are validated.”

https://thedailyguardian.net/local-news/army-five-politicians-maintain-link-with-rebels/