Kalinaw News: Army recovers copies of NPA extortion letters

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 22, 2021): Army recovers copies of NPA extortion letters

CAUAYAN, Negros Occidental – Troopers of the Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion recovered 44 copies of the extortion letters after an encounter on April 17, 2021, at Purok Yuring, Sitio Dash 7, Barangay Bulwangan, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental.

The letters were recovered by the soldiers following their encounter with a group of communist rebels. It contains the letterhead of the NPA’s Apolinario Gatmaitan Command based in Negros Island, which was signed by Armando Magbanua of the Regional Taxation Group, New People’s Army.

The letter contains a threat if the recipients fail to settle or respond to their “tax obligations.”

Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Cariño, the Commander of 15IB, said in his statement that the recovered extortion letters clearly show the criminal thinking and terroristic goal of the communist terrorist groups. They rely on extortion under the guise of the so-called “mandatory and coercive taxation” to the communities and business sectors to sustain and finance their activities.

“These terrorist groups will continue to sow fear if we allow them to circumvent and destroy the peaceful system established in our society. Insurgency is a menace to our society. Thus, I urge everyone to take courage and never permit this terroristic scheme to conquer us. Instead, let us join hands and be part of the solution in eliminating all forms of terrorism in Negros to ensure the security and safety of our communities,” Cariño added.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-recovers-copies-of-npa-extortion-letter/