NPA rebels exerting effort to win back Leyte province to their influence

From the Leyte Samar Daily Express (Dec 20): NPA rebels exerting effort to win back Leyte province to their influence

Leyte province is a rich source for resources for the New People’s Army, that is why they are doing all it can to once again win the province. This was according to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Regional Director Rolando Rodriguez at the Leyte Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting. “Their number now is not that big but they are doing all effort to win back the province because you have resources and the logistics.If they win Leyte back, this would mean a rejuvenation of their group,” Rodriguez said.

The intelligence director added that aside from rebel groups that are in Leyte, they had received reports that there are rebel augmentation forces from Samar that are to be sent in to the province.Moreover, Colonel Rafael Valencia of the 802nd Infantry Brigade of the 8th Infantry Division stressed that the recent show of force of the New People’s Army in the province has something to do with the forthcoming elections. This is aside from informing people that they still exist in the province despite Leyte was declared under the status of “NPA-free.”

Col. Valencia said that the conduct of elections is one of the time where rebel groups can generate income by asking candidates for permit to campaign fee in areas known to be under rebel influence.A town mayor was said to already have informed them that some NPA members have met him to ask for permit fee,Valencia said. “They want to gather funds from our candidates this coming elections by asking permit to campaign and this is what we are monitoring right now to stop or prevent them from doing so,” he said. Valencia added that in assuring peaceful elections this coming year, an additional troop from Cebu under the 78th Infantry Battalion was added to the present two military companies stationed in the province.

http://leytesamardaily.net/2012/12/npa-rebels-exerting-effort-to-win-back-leyte-province-to-their-influence/