Army: NPA backs party list groups

From the Visayan Daily Star (Feb 6, 2019): Army: NPA backs party list groups

The New People’s Army in Negros is supporting a senatorial candidate and some partylist groups in the May 13 elections, a ranking military official yesterday said.

But Col. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, withheld the names of the partylist groups, a senatorial candidate, as well as some mayoralty aspirants in Negros, who are being supported by the NPA.

Arevalo also said that the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center is validating old lists of candidates in previous elections who had availed of the services of private armed groups.

The Philippine Army tagged the NPA as the biggest private armed group and number one threat to the May 13 elections.

As to the imposition of permit to campaign fees by the NPA to candidates, Arevalo said they are expecting it, although they have not yet received such reports, as of this time.

Supt. Joem Malong, spokesperson of the Western Visayas police, also revealed yesterday that some candidates in Region 6 reportedly availed of the services of the NPA and private armed groups, for election purposes.

“We would like them to know that we are validating this and will take action on information against them,” Malong said.

The Department of Interior and Local Government earlier issued a warning to local chief executives extending or getting support from the terrorist organizations, including the CPP-NPA.

Arevalo, who met and discussed election security concerns yesterday with Provincial Comelec Supervisor Salud Milagros Villanueva and Senior Supt. Romeo Baleros at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City, said they are still looking at five towns in Negros Occidental, mentioned earlier as possible election hotspots.

The municipalities of Moises Padilla, Isabela, Toboso, EB Magalona and Salvador Benedicto have been mentioned earlier by the PNP as possible areas of concerns during the midterm elections, citing the expected intense political rivalries and presence of armed rebels.

But Arevalo said it is still subject to validation by the Regional Joint Security Coordinating Center (RJSCC).

During the PJSCC meeting, Arevalo said it was agreed that there will be a weekly security conference, in relation to the May 13 election, so that they can immediately act on whatever election-related incidents may take place.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/February/06/topstory8.htm