Army warns politicians extending support to NPA

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 2, 2021): Army warns politicians extending support to NPA (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The Philippine Army yesterday reiterated its stern warning against politicians who may enlist the support of the New People’s Army during the May 2022 polls.

Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that the legal cluster of the Task Force- ELCAC (Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict) have been tasked to file charges against those candidates, if there is evidence against them.

The Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Council recently meet to discuss security preparations for the May next year elections.

Under the provisions of Anti-Terror Law, anybody who will support the CPP-NPA, which is already classified as a terrorist organization, will be facing charges in court, Pasaporte, who co-chaired the PJSCC.

As to the list of possible areas of concern in Negros Occidental during the May next year elections, Pasaporte said they will identify it soon by exchanging notes with the PNP and Commission on Election.

As to the existence of Private Armed Groups in Negros Occidental, Pasaporte said that they are now validating it with the PNP.

He confirmed that the PNP has the names of alleged remnants of PAGs, who are now inactive, with some leaders already neutralized by authorities.

Pasaporte said they are looking into the possibility that PAGs remnants in the province, maybe imported into other areas, should they will be used by unscrupulous politicians.

But he said that they will compare notes with PJSCC in other provinces, to ensure a smooth coordination among them in neutralizing armed groups.

https://visayandailystar.com/army-warns-politicians-extending-support-to-npa/