Rebels extortion vs local politicians in Panay starts- PA

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 22): Rebels extortion vs local politicians in Panay starts- PA

The military authorities here confirmed that the New People's Army (NPA) has started their extortion activities against politicians in Western Visayas, particularly in Panay Island this election period.

Maj. Rey Tiongson, spokesperson of 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID) based in Camp Macario Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz, said they have already received reports from different army field commanders relative to the ‘permit to campaign and permit to win scheme' of the NPA rebels.

The Army spokesperson said the rebels sent letters to political candidates informing them they have the full control of a certain area, thus there’s a need for candidates to coordinate with them before they could gain entry in the area for political campaign sorties.

Tiongson said that although the rebels did not specifically mention the desired amount, the letter is tantamount proof that a certain candidate need to pay the rebels’ campaign scheme before they are allowed to campaign in a rebel-infested area.

But the under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr. assured the citizenry that the military is on top of the situation even as they continuously monitor rebel activities to prevent them from imposing illicit extortion scheme against local politicians.

The military authorities also advised politicians in the region to shun the extortion scheme made by rebels at this time of the election campaign period in preparation for the midterm elections in May 2013.

Meanwhile, areas placed under election watchlist of areas (EWAS) of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Western Visayas reached to 40 areas.

Negros Occidental topped the list with 13 areas that include Pulupandan, Sipalay City, Escalante City, Moises Padilla, Toboso, Himamaylan, Cauayan, Isabela, Ilog, Candoni, Murcia, Calatrava kag La Castellana.

The province of Iloilo closely followed with 11 towns placed under the Comelec watchlist that include Estancia, Maasin, Passi City, San Enrique, San Dionisio, Igbaras, Calinog, Tubungan, Lemery, Leon and Miag-ao.

The province of Antique has seven election watchlist areas. These are the towns of Barbaza, Laua-an, Tibiao, San Remegio, Sibalom, Anini-y and Libertad. In Capiz, tagged as EWAS are the towns of Pilar, Cuartero, Maayon, Tapaz and Mambusao;

Aklan has three election area of concern that include Kalibo, Buruanga and Lezo.

While district of Jaro was tagged by the Comelec as the lone watchlist area in Iloilo City.The Philippine National Police said a certain area will be placed under election areas of concern where political violence has been recorded in the past election, presence of private armed groups and New People’s Army rebels.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=500085