Acorda: Paying election fees to NPA is terrorist financing

From Malaya Business Insight (May 30, 2023): Acorda: Paying election fees to NPA is terrorist financing (By Victor Reyes)

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr yesterday warned candidates in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections against falling for the “election racket” of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Acorda said paying fees or giving support to the communists is considered a violation of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 provision under terrorist financing.

“Let me caution candidates who will fall for this election racket of the CPP-NPA that any form of monetary or material support to the CPP-NPA, a terrorist organization, is tantamount to terrorist financing that is punishable under Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020,” said Acorda.

“And if the donor or giver is an incumbent barangay or SK official, the crime is further aggravated by willful disloyalty to their oath of office,” he added.

The communists are known to collect permit to campaign and permit to win fees from candidates who wish to campaign in NPA-controlled areas during elections. Candidates who refuse to heed the rebel demand are subject to attacks or harassment.

Acorda said its possible that communist rebels will make their presence felt during the elections, especially in areas where they have guerrilla fronts.

“We don’t discount the possibility that they will still try to make their presence felt…. The actions of some remaining active guerilla fronts of the CPP-NPA are closely being monitored for possible conduct of atrocities,” said Acorda.

Acorda said another concern during the elections is “intense political rivalry” among the candidates.

Nevertheless, he said the PNP is not seeing any “serious peace and order concern on a national scale.”

Meanwile, the PNP chief welcomed the proposal of Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr for BSKE candidates to undergo drug test to prove they deserve to be elected.

“Although mandatory drug testing is specifically not among the requirements for the filing of certificate of candidacy, the Philippine National Police welcomes any voluntary benevolent gesture by candidates to present to their constituents a ‘clean bill of health’,” said Acorda.

https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/acorda-paying-election-fees-to-npa-is-terrorist-financing/