Friday, September 1, 2023

Don’t give money to NPA, military tells brgy, SK bets

From the Visayan Daily Star (Sep 1, 2023): Don’t give money to NPA, military tells brgy, SK bets (By Ruby P. Silubrico)

SISON. PRO-6 PHOTO

ILOILO City – Refrain from giving in to the demand of the New People’s Army (NPA) for the so-called “permit to campaign” fees.

This is the appeal of the Philippine Army to candidates in the Oct. 30 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections

“If magbigay ang mga candidates, parang kiss of death yan. Hindi sila mananalo kasi ang mga mamamayan ay kampi na sa atin. Ayaw na ng taongbayan sa mga rebelde,” said Major General Marion Sison, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) based in Tapaz, Capiz.


The filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the barangay and SK elections started on Aug. 28. The last day of filing is Sept. 2.

In their areas of influence – usually in remote barangays – it has been the practice of the NPA to impose “permit to campaign” and even “permit to win” fees on election candidates. It is the rebels’ money-making scheme during elections.

For the military, that is plain extortion.

Sison is, however, confident that the NPA right now will be having a hard time imposing such fees.

The rebels are constantly on the run, he said, and hiding deep in the mountains to evade military offensives.


“Hindi sila agad-agad makababa kasi marami tayong sundalo sa field tapos maraming mga mamamayan ang nag-i-inform sa atin of their whereabouts,” said Sison.

He added: “We will not allow them to do their illegal activities. Hindi namin sila titigilan especially this coming election.”

https://www.panaynews.net/dont-give-money-to-npa-military-tells-brgy-sk-bets/

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