Soldiers seize NPA extortion letters in southern Negros

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 22, 2021): Soldiers seize NPA extortion letters in southern Negros (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

REDS’ LETTERS. Copies of two separate extortion letters of the New People’s Army in Negros Island seized by troops of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (IB), following an encounter with communist-terrorists in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental on April 17, 2021. The letter from Apolinario Gatmaitan Command contains a threat on recipients if they fail to comply with their “tax obligations” and also a reminder “not to leak” the matter to state agents. (Images courtesy of 15th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

Copies of extortion letters of the New People’s Army (NPA) to business establishments were among the items seized by troops of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB), following a clash with communist-terrorists in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental on April 17.

A report of the 15IB on Thursday said recovered were 44 copies, including 30 whose content is written in English, with the letterhead of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command based in Negros Island signed by Armando Magbanua of the Regional Taxation Group.

The letter contains a threat of sanction to recipients if they fail to comply with their “tax obligations” and also a reminder “not to leak” the matter to state agents.

Some 14 other letters in Hiligaynon, with different content but still asking for support, had the signature of Andrea Guerrero of the Armando Sumayang Jr. Command.

“The recovered extortion letters clearly show the criminal thinking and terroristic goal of the communist-terrorist groups,” Lt. Col Erwin Cariño, commander of 15IB based in Barangay Tiling, Cauayan, said in a statement.

He said apparently, the NPA relies on extortion under the guise of “mandatory and coercive taxation” imposed on communities and businesses to 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. I urge everyone to take courage and never permit this terroristic scheme to conquer us,” Cariño added.

During the said encounter in the southern Negros town’s Purok Yuring, Sitio Dash 7 in Barangay Bulwangan, two NPA rebels were killed, but none of their families claimed the bodies.

The cadavers were buried by the municipal government in the afternoon of April 20.

Photographs showed that the extortion letters of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command contain the names of the addressees, but the 15IB covered the details as well as the contact number of Magbanua himself.

According to the letter, the so-called People’s Democratic Government, which consists of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed unit, the NPA, “looks after the social needs of the people” and “uses, for the benefit of the people, whatever resources it can raise”.

Based on the tone of the letter, it is a follow-up of the communication previously sent, which did not get a response from the recipient.

“An invitation to discuss your business and corresponding tax obligations was sent to you earlier. However, you have not responded to this. We would like to impress on you the seriousness of our invitation,” Magbanua said.

He gave the recipient “one month to respond” otherwise, the NPA will “implement sanctions consequent to your failure to comply”.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137644