NPA holding 7 cops for alleged vote buying in Southern Mindanao village

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 13): NPA holding 7 cops for alleged vote buying in Southern Mindanao village
The New People’s Army (NPA) are allegedly holding seven policemen escorting four barangay (village) captains who they claimed were out to buy votes for a congressional candidate in the village of Paquibato, a spokesman for the rebels said Monday.

Simon Santiago, of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Command in Southern Mindanao, said Senior Police 0fficer 3 Edgardo J. Butad, was held for an hour at 4 p.m. Saturday  in the village of  Paquibato for allegedly violating the NPA’s policies against vote buying within its territories.

The statement said the seven traffic cops escorted four barangay captains
allegedly carrying cash to buy votes for reelectionist First District Representative Mylene Garcia.

Aside from Butad, the other captives are Erald James M.Cajeras Sr., Vincent M.Dela Torre, Abdul Azis A. Ali Jr.,  Ariel C.Arbule, Edmon O.Trenidad, Rusalito C.Caranguit.

The NPA renewed its warning against politicians entering their territory.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/407619/npa-holding-7-cops-for-alleged-vote-buying-in-southern-mindanao-village

Army sends more troops to SouthCot’s upland villages

From MindaNews (May 12): Army sends more troops to SouthCot’s upland villages

Government troops have intensified their security operations in several upland villages of Tampakan town in South Cotabato following the reported movements of armed groups in the area in the past several days.

Evangeline Basan, acting Tampakan election officer, said on Sunday the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion has sent additional troops to the area to secure local communities and the conduct of the elections on Monday.

She said they earlier withdrew the scheduled final sealing and testing for the precinct count optical scan or PCOS machines that were assigned for four remote villages in the area due to the volatile security situation.

They instead decided to deliver the eight PCOS machines for the affected barangays – Palo, Tablu, Danlag and Buto – early on Monday, she said. “We will begin the deployment of the PCOS machines and the releasing of the election materials at 2 a.m. (Monday), starting off with the remote areas,” Basan said.

The official said the vehicles that will deliver the PCOS machines and election materials, as well as their assigned security escorts, are already on standby.

 

She said security will also be provided for the board of election inspectors and poll clerks that are assigned in areas with security threats or concerns.

The Commission on Elections and the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office earlier identified Tampakan town as among the province’s areas of concern for Monday’s polls.

Tampakan was previously considered as a hotspot area due to the recorded election-related murders in the locality during the 2001 and 2004 elections.

But the area’s security classification has been downgraded by the Philippine National Police and Comelec due to its “clean record” in terms of election-related violence since the 2007 polls.

The municipality had been plagued by security problems in the last several years, among them the attacks staged by the New People’s Army (NPA) and local armed groups opposing the planned large-scale copper and gold mining venture of foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines, Inc. in the area.

A series of clashes had occurred in several upland villages in the last several months as government troops stepped up their operations against an armed group led by Daguel Capion, a disgruntled B’laan tribal leader who has taken up arms against the Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI).

In October last year, Capion’s wife and two young children were killed in a military operation near SMI’s mines development site.

Last month, Capion declared that he has joined the NPA to further pursue his cause.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2013/05/12/army-sends-more-troops-to-southcots-upland-villages/

Army intensifies operations in Agusan Norte on eve of elections

From MindaNews (May 12): Army intensifies operations in Agusan Norte on eve of elections

The Philippine Army operating in Agusan del Norte has intensified operations and stepped up alert status on the eve of election day after a series of encounters with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Since the first week of May, our soldiers have been harassed several times by the NPA. We have expected these activities from the NPA to intensify in their hope to disrupt the electoral process as what we have seen in other parts of the country,” said Lt. Joe Patrick Martinez, civil-military operations (CMO) officer of the 402nd Infantry Battalion.

Martinez said the latest such incident was 1 a.m. Saturday wherein 20 NPA rebels traded fire with the Army’s patrol base in Mount Mayapay, Sitio Tapnigue, Barangay Sangay in Buenavista town for seven minutes.

Another encounter occurred the day before, in an area close to a polling center in Barangay San Isidro in the municipality of Kitcharao, wherein a trooper from the 3rd Special Forces Battalion was injured in theirght knee, he said.

Lt. Col. Ricardo Leonardo Jr., commanding officer of the 3SFB, pointed out the need to step up their efforts.

 

 

“Our troops in Kitcharao received reports from residents that there had been sighting of armed men in the area. So we immediately sent our soldiers to check and afterward they encountered the NPA. We are stepping up our efforts to avert any untoward incidents on the day our citizens will cast their votes,” he said.

Earlier, on May 3, the NPA conducted a daring three-hour attack at the Army patrol base in Barangay San Antonio in the municipality of Remedios T. Romualdez or RTR around 4:30 a.m. There were no reports of casualty nor injury on both sides.

Leonardo said that most of the soldiers under the 3SFB have been assigned to different polling centers all over the province to safeguard the election.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2013/05/12/army-intensifies-operations-in-agusan-norte-on-eve-of-elections/

No boycott, MNLF commander says

From the Manila Bulletin (May 13): No boycott, MNLF commander says

A top official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in North Cotabato has assured the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and authorities that they would adhere to what has been agreed upon during the consultation and dialogue held in Matalam town on Saturday.

Commander Datu Dima Ambil of the MNLF Sebangan Kutawato State Revolutionary Committee (SKSRC) issued the clarification after it was reported that he declared a boycott of elections in North Cotabato after their last week’s bloody encounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Barangay Marbel, Matalam town.

Sr. Inspector Elias Dandan, chief of Matalam PNP Police, said both warring groups agreed to cast votes on Monday. Ambil said at least 700 MNLF members in Matalam town will cast their votes.

The Army in North Cotabato will help the Comelec transport some 200 evacuees from the evacuation centers to their polling precincts in Barangay Marbel. Last week, about 200 families from at least six areas in Barangay Marbel evacuated to nearby places after armed members of the MNLF and MILF exchanged fires. The fighting resulted in the death of an MILF member and displacement of villagers.

Also in North Cotabato, the Arakan town has no electricity since Monday dawn. Engineer Godofredo Homez, general manager of the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco), said they are looking at problems in their power lines going to Arakan. He assured the public that they should be able to restore power supply soon.

http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=11632&sid=1&subid=5#.UZA44o7D9jo

NPA justifies recent attacks, vows more offensives under Noy gov’t

From the Daily Tribune (May 13): NPA justifies recent attacks, vows more offensives under Noy gov’t

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) had justified that the newly transferred 17th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army was ambushed by a unit of New People’s Army (NPA) in Kalinga last May 8.

Initial field reports received by the Lejo Cawilan Command indicated that the incident took place at the roadside of Sitio Patiking, Bagumbayan, Tabuk, when Red fighters fired upon a lone army vehicle. Two soldiers were killed, six were wounded, and the NPA unit carted away one M16 rifle, along with other logistics.

The Philippine Army unit included an intelligence officer of the 5th Infantry Division, who were among those killed.

Philippine Army units in Kalinga were dispatched in areas believed to be strongholds of the NPA, as part of the Aquino government’s campaign to malign and defeat legal and progressive party-lists, in clear violation of Comelec guidelines.

The NDFP claimed that these units have been destroying campaign paraphernalia of these party-lists, and are posting materials against the same.

The communist group also called 5ID spokesman Col. Magundayao a big liar, as he claimed that the ambush took place on the morning of May 9, and that the army unit was part of a convoy of Philippine National Police and Comelec delegation, dispatched to deliver (election counting) PCOS machines in Lubuagan.

“The AFP is covering-up a tactical error, and is using the 13 May elections to villify the NPA, depicting the real people’s army as ‘enemies of democracy,’” the said.

“Malacañang was quick to believe its running dogs in the AFP, and condemned the NPA declaring, as always, that they ‘will pursue and punish the perpetrators.’ The 17th IB is also spreading lies in Kalinga that the ambush was planned by progressive party-lists, and a vice-gubernatorial candidate.

Philippine Army units have long been conducting special operations team-type (SOT) internal security operations (ISO), now called ‘Peace and Development Team’ (PDT) operations, under Oplan Bayanihan,” it added.

The NDFP also belied AFP’s claims that troops involved in these operations are non-combatants and that they only implement projects. “But in fact these PDTs are deodorized SOT units, implementing triad operations that include combat, intelligence and civil-military components, and as such, are regular targets of all NPA units,” the insurgents group stressed.

The NDFP added that these PDTs have long been violating International Humanitarian Laws (IHL), the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Laws (CAHRIHL), and certain provisions of the Indigenous People’s Rights Law.

“PDTs are based in barangay halls, day care centers, or in houses at the center of the barrio (village).

They use civilian vehicles and force civilians to procure and/or deliver supplies, logistics and communications,” it said.

“The NPA will continue to launch tactical offensives against the AFP and PNP, the primary instruments of the Aquino regime in mocking so-called democratic processes such as elections, the main culprits in perpetrating human rights violations, and the security forces of big business interests in the province such as corporate mining, and geothermal and hydro-electric projects,” the rebel group said.

“We will intensify attacks because of the Aquino regime’s junking of the peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the GRP,” the NDFP added.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/14059-npa-justifies-recent-attacks-vows-more-offensives-under-noy-gov’t

CPP: Strike at AFP units carrying out suppression ops under guise of "election duty"--CPP

From the CPP Website (May 12): Strike at AFP units carrying out suppression ops under guise of "election duty"--CPP

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today blasted the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for using the scheduled national elections tomorrow as a camouflage to intensify the militarization of rural communities in line with its Oplan Bayanihan war of suppression. The CPP called on the NPA to seize the initiative and strike at AFP units engaging in intimidation against the people.

The CPP lauded the New People’s Army in the Kalinga province for successfully launching an ambush last May 8 against the 17th IB under the 5th ID in Sitio Patiking, Bagumbayan, Tabuk. Two soldiers were killed while six others were wounded. The NPA unit seized an M-16 rifle and other logistics.

Last May 10, the NPA command in Sorsogon province also successfully carried out an ambush against a SWAT unit of the Philippine National Police in Barangay Bato, Bacon District. At least five armed policemen were wounded in the ambush.

“The reactionary state armed and police forces are using their so-called election duties to transgress into areas where they suspect the masses to be actively supporting and waging democratic mass struggles to intimidate the people, campaign for their favored candidates and against the progressive parties and candidates they claim to be sympathetic to the revolutionary cause,” said the CPP.

“They serve as armed escorts of the political rascals who engage in intimidation and vote-buying in their desperate effort to gain seats in the reactionary bureaucracy,” pointed out the CPP.

“The claim made by Malacañang that the AFP unit was escorting election counting machines is a complete lie,” said the CPP. “The 17th ID was scouring areas which they suspect to be a strongholds of the revolutionary movement. They were tearing down posters and election paraphernalia of progressive candidates and party-list groups in a vain effort to intimidate people against voting for these organizations which they accuse without proof of being supporters of the armed revolutionary movement.”

“They take advantage of the opportunity to enter into the revolutionary areas in order to recruit anti-social elements and organize their intelligence networks,” added the CPP. “Under the pretext of guarding the elections, AFP combat units are being deployed in areas where the people are active in democratic struggles and revolutionary mass resistance,” said the CPP.

“It is the duty of all NPA units to stay on high alert and strike at every opportunity to prevent the AFP units from intimidating the masses to vote for their favored politician, typically those who line up the pockets of their commanders.”

“As always, the NPA will carry out these armed tactical offensives giving priority to the protection of unarmed civilians,” pointed out the CPP.

“These NPA tactical offensives do not aim to disrupt the reactionary elections, as there is no point for doing so,” added the CPP. “The Monday elections have been sufficienty exposed as a farce by the dynastic reactionary politicians from the national to the local levels who have made a complete mockery of the so-called democratic political exercise.”

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20130512_strike-at-afp-units-carrying-out-suppression-ops-under-guise-of-election-duty-cpp

5 killed in separate ambushes in Mindanao

From GMA News (May 12): 5 killed in separate ambushes in Mindanao

Five people were killed in separate ambushes in the southern Philippines, police and the military said Sunday on the eve of the mid-term elections in which more than 18,000 posts are up for grabs, from mayors and governors to members of parliament.

Communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the southern Philippines ambushed Saturday the convoy of town mayor Joelito Jacosalem Talaid, wounding the politician and killing four of his bodyguards.

Talaid, who is seeking re-election as mayor of Kadingilan, Bukidnon, was carrying a large sum of money when his convoy was targeted, provincial police chief Superintendent Orlando Binas said.

The NPA, which has been waging a rebellion for more than 40 years, has been known to attack local politicians who refuse to pay extortion money in exchange for campaigning in its areas.

Talaid's ambush came on the same day as heavily armed men also attacked the convoy of Omar Baba, a candidate for mayor in South Upi town, Maguindanao.

Baba and an aide were wounded, while his cousin was killed, regional military chief Colonel Dickson Hermoso said.

Hermoso said no one had claimed responsibility for Baba's ambush, but noted that South Upi had earlier been placed among potential "hot spots" where violence was likely to erupt.

Six other candidates are contesting the post of mayor, he said.

Revenge killings among politicians are common in local politics across the Philippines, where a proliferation of unlicensed firearms has long aggravated the political situation.

More than 60 people have already been killed during campaigning, which began in February, and the government has sent extra military and police to violence hotspots to prevent more bloodshed during Monday's vote.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/307980/news/regions/5-killed-in-separate-ambushes-in-mindanao

PH envoy to Taiwan apologizes to fisherman's family

From Rappler (May 12): PH envoy to Taiwan apologizes to fisherman's family

Antonio Basilio, the managing director of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei, visited the family of slain Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng on Saturday, May 11, to apologize and offer his condolences for Hung's death.

Focus Taiwan News Channel reports that Basilio, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister David Lin, went to Hung Shih-cheng's home in Siaoliouchiou Island off Pingtung County in southern Taiwan.

An interpreter translated Basilio's apology, where he told the family that what happened was the result of a misunderstanding. He also offered his condolences over the family's loss.

Basilio added that Philippine authorities were investigating the incident and would work with Taiwan to figure out the location of the incident and the reasons behind the shooting. He also mentioned that the culpable parties would be punished in accordance with the law.

Lin also mentioned to Hung's family that a task force was being set up to probe into what happened and what caused the incident. The task force would be comprised of members of the Ministry of Justice, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) and additional relevant government agencies.

While this apology appears to have occurred before Taiwan announced a 72-hour ultimatum on a response from the Philippines regarding Hung's death, it is unclear at present whether the Taiwanese government knew of the apology prior to discussing their options and announcing their ultimatum or whether the Taiwanese government had knowledge of the apology and is seeking a statement from a higher-ranking member of the Philippine government.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/28869-philippines-meco-apology-taiwanese-fisherman

Taiwan beefs up patrols in waters near PH

From Rappler (May 12): Taiwan beefs up patrols in waters near PH

Taiwan on Sunday, May 12, dispatched four coastguard and naval vessels to beef up patrols in waters near the Philippines following public outrage over the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Filipino coastguards.

"The government is determined to protect our fishermen," cabinet spokeswoman Cheng Li-wen said in a statement as a Lafayette-class naval frigate and coastguard vessels set sail for the area where the 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman was killed on Thursday, May 9.

The move came shortly after authorities issued a strong-worded statement late Saturday night, May 11, demanding from Manila an apology to Taiwan and compensate the family of the dead man.

In its statement, Taiwan also asked the Philippine authorities to bring to justice the coastguards responsible and start negotiating with Taipei on a proposed fishery agreement.

"If the Filipino government fails to respond in a positive manner within 72 hours, the hiring of Philippine workers will be frozen," presidential spokeswoman Lee Chia-fei warned.

Hung Shih-cheng, the skipper of the 15-ton "Kuang Ta Hsin No 28", was killed during the incident, which also left the boat riddled with more than 50 bullet holes.

"This is nothing but a slaughter," prosecutor Liu Chia-kai told reporters after examining the ship.

In Manila, Abigail Valte, spokeswoman for Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, told a government radio station on Saturday that authorities had launched a "transparent and impartial investigation" into the incident.

Valte, in an official statement, also said the incident "occurred during one of the anti-illegal fishing patrols conducted by a Philippine fishery law enforcement vessel (MCS 3001) within maritime jurisdiction".

She expressed hopes that economic ties with Taipei would not be affected and added that the coastguard crew involved in the incident had been temporarily suspended to ensure a fair probe.

Taiwan's government has come under pressure from the opposition and the media to take action, with the Philippines refusing to apologize and saying the coastguard was tackling illegal fishing.

Philippine coastguard spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said on Friday, May 10, the incident took place in Philippine waters and the crew had been carrying out their duties to stop illegal fishing.

"If somebody died, they deserve our sympathy but not an apology," Balilo told reporters.

The victim's son, who was with his father and two other sailors on the boat when the shooting took place, has insisted they did not cross into Philippine waters.

http://www.rappler.com/world/28895-taiwan-beefs-up-patrols-in-waters-near-ph

3 NPA rebels killed, 5 soldiers injured in Gingoog clash

From Rappler (May 12): 3 NPA rebels killed, 5 soldiers injured in Gingoog clash

Three suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed and 5 members of the government security forces wounded in a clash on Sunday, May 12 in Gingoog, Misamis Oriental, a military official said.

Maj Leo Bongosia, spokesman for the AFP's 4th division, said Philippine Marines troops were patrolling the area ahead of Monday's mid-term elections when they encountered the guerrillas.

 

“We have five Marines wounded and a pursuit operation is ongoing,” he added.

 

This brings to 9 the total number of government troops injured since Friday in Gingoog, where the NPA is conducting a campaign against policemen and soldiers delivering precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines for the vote.

 

A total of 3 companies have so far been deployed to strengthen security in the city and its surroundings, after two people died and Mayor Ruthie Guingona was hurt in an NPA ambush on April 20.

The rebels apologized for the incident but claimed that their combatants fired in self-defense after Guingona’s convoy allegedly rammed the checkpoint manned by the NPA.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections-2013/28911-3-npa-rebels-killed,-5-soldiers-injured-in-gingoog-clash

ANAD: The NPA killed a former NPA amazon in Brgy Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City

From the anti-communist Alliance  for Nationalism and Democracy Facebook page (May 9): The NPA killed a former NPA amazon in Brgy Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City



A source identified the victim as Carina Pal, who used to be an active member of the National Alliance for Democracy (NAD) in Davao region.

Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago, Commanding Officer of Pulang Bagani Company 1, NPA-Southern Mindanao Regional Command, was alleged to have stabbed dead the victim because of her activities helping NPA members who lied low from the movement.

(Kumander Parago is shown in accompanying photo in one of his clandestine meeting with former Davao City Mayor and now Vice Mayor Rody Duterte somewhere in Paquibato District few years ago.)

Her lifeless body was found with four stab wounds in the forested area of Malabog that served as center village in Paquibato District.

The city government of Davao reportedly employed the victim and assigned her to help those NPA members who decided to return to the fold of the law.

Most of those she assisted were former members of Guerilla Front 51, NPA-SMRC that operates at the foot of Mt. Apo in Davao City, Davao del Sur and North Cotabato Provinces.

The police and the military are investigating the murder.

The victim was a resident of Brgy. Maa, Buhangin District, Davao City.

ANAD Partylist-Mindanao Headquarters is still waiting for more details on the incident.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151907548414638&set=a.155410804637.146759.142922174637&type=1&theater

ANAD: AFP Chief Presents Recovered Firearms from NPAs

From the anti-communist Alliance  for Nationalism and Democracy Facebook page (May 9): AFP Chief Presents Recovered Firearms from NPAs



CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, General Emmanuel T. Bautista presented today the 7 high-powered firearms, explosives, and subversive documents recovered from arrested members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Pagbilao, Quezon.

In a press conference held at the Souther Luzon Command in Camp Nakar, Lucena City, General Bautista along with high-ranking officers from the AFP presented to the media four M-16 rifles; two M-14 rifles; one M203; explosives (grenades), ammunitions, voluminous subversive documents and paraphernalia collaborating to the rebels’ activities in the communist armed movement. These firearms were recovered from three NPA members in a peaceful arrest held Sunday in Pagbilao, Quezon.

Last Sunday, May 5, the combined security forces from the 1st special forces battalion and the Pagbilao Municipal Police office led by Capt. Ferdinand Mopal conducted pursuit operations against armed men reportedly extorting from political candidates and planning to conduct ambush and checkpoint against target individuals.

The group was believed to be under Alexander P. Mendoza alias “Baylon” or “Daniel” of the New People’s Army.

Acting on the information provided by civilian informants, the government security forces met up with the rebels in a house allegedly frequented by suspicious armed individuals belonging to the group of Mendoza who have been threatening political candidates to give in to their permit to campaign and permit to win demands during this election period.

No firefight transpired during the arrest of Elmer Ramilo Brinas, Rommel Ramos Torres, and Rosalie Pundador Castillanes.

One of the arrested individuals, Elmer Ramilo Brinas has a standing warrant of arrest for multiple frustrated murder at Regional Trial Court branch 65 in Infanta, Quezon.

At present, said individuals are under the custody of PNP in Pagbilao, Quezon awaiting final resolution of the fiscal’s office on different criminal charges, violation of revised penal code and COMELEC resolution and eventual commitment to the provincial jail.

They are all in good physical and mental condition after medical examination was conducted upon them. We assure you that they will be accorded with due process of law and their human rights will be respected and observed as well.

The operation was a deliberate operation conducted by joint government security forces based on verified information given by the populace. This is a concrete example of the love and patriotism that our people have for our nation.

The AFP extends its sincere gratitude to the civilians who informed authorities about the presence of armed groups plotting for extortion and terroristic activities. With this, the Leadership calls on our people to continue reporting to government authorities the presence of these armed groups to prevent and put a stop to any NPA roadblock or illegal activities against our people. This is all in line with the AFP’s campaign in achieving lasting peace and stability through the whole-of-nation and multi-stakeholder approach of the IPSP Bayanihan.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151907718959638&set=a.155410804637.146759.142922174637&type=1&theater

ANAD: Joint AFP-PNP Arrest Alleged Six NPA with Fake Military Vehicles

From the anti-communist Alliance  for Nationalism and Democracy Facebook page (May 10): Joint AFP-PNP Arrest Alleged Six NPA with Fake Military Vehicles



Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City—The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) captured six alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels yesterday, May 10 at around 7:30 pm in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan.

Joint elements of the 56th Infantry Battalion and the Bulacan Provincial Police Office (BPPO) arrested the armed rebels at a checkpoint following intelligence reports. The apprehension foiled an attempt by the rebel group to allegedly conduct election fraud while imitating military elements.

According to the report, the six NPA rebels have merged with private armed groups to execute election fraud in the province. Confiscated from them are four firearms; one SUV; and five fake military transports including four trucks and one Humvee.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151911294939638&set=a.155410804637.146759.142922174637&type=1&theater

Waiting for campaign fees, top Samar reb captured

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 11): Waiting for campaign fees, top Samar reb captured
The military recently arrested a ranking commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar while allegedly waiting for the turnover of the permit-to-campaign (PTC) and permit-to-win (PTW) fees collected from candidates in the province, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Friday.

The military identified the NPA commander as Renato Abadiano who was said to have held various positions in the communist insurgents’ Samar Provincial Party Committee.

Abadiano was arrested at a safehouse in Barangay Dolores during a joint operation of the Army’s 87th Infantry Battalion 801st Infantry Brigade and the municipal police of San Sebastian town.

“Identified as Renato Abadiano, the NPA leader was reported to be waiting for the arrival of the permit-to-campaign and permit-to-win fees and other extorted items from political candidates seeking elective positions this coming May 13 elections,” the military said.

Seized from Abadiano were a .45-caliber pistol, improvised explosive devices, blasting caps, subversive documents, personal belongings and campaign paraphernalia of NPA- supported election candidates, the military said.

The military said that local residents reported Abadiano’s presence in the area.

Residents also told security forces that Abadiano was responsible for the collection of PTCs and PTWs since the start of the campaign period.

The residents also claimed that it was Abadiano’s group that attacked a construction company in Brgy. Pabanog, Paranas town last April 25 after the owner refused to “give in to the extortion scheme of the rebels,” the military added.

Abadiano’s group supposedly shot the tires and fuel tanks of the heavy equipment owned by the company.

Abadiano reportedly has a standing warrant of arrest for murder with no bail recommended and another warrant for attempted murder with the use of an unlicensed firearm.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, spokesperson of the 8th Infantry Division, credited the locals’ cooperation with the military’s “good rapport with the people, much more so with the local candidates who are no longer willing to support the extortion scheme of the NPAs.”

Maj. Gen. Gerardo Layug, the 8th ID commanding general, said the arrest of Abadiano was the third time that Army troops had “thwarted” the extortion activities of the rebels.

“This only shows that since the reports came from the civilians themselves, they are already tired of giving logistical support to the NPAs,” Layug said in a statement.

Layug said the NPAs had resorted to “sheer banditry in harassing and intimidating” Samarnons.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/406253/waiting-for-campaign-fees-top-samar-reb-captured

6 NPA guerrillas 'seeking' permits to campaign from candidates arrested in Bulacan

From GMA News (May 11): 6 NPA guerrillas 'seeking' permits to campaign from candidates arrested in Bulacan

Six suspected communist New People's Army rebels were arrested in Bulacan province Saturday morning while allegedly trying to collect money from local candidates in exchange for so-called permits to campaign.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the six yielded materials with information on permits to campaign, radio dzBB's Manny Vargas reported.

Maj. Emmanuel Garcia, AFP deputy public affairs office chief, cited sketchy initial reports indicating the six also yielded assorted firearms when they were intercepted at Doña Remedios Trinidad town.

A separate dzBB report said the vehicle the six was using when intercepted was made to resemble a military truck carrying troops.

In a separate interview on government-run dzRB, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said their information showed... "Yung sasakyan pinintahan parang sasakyan ng AFP.

April arrest

Last April 27, 11 members of the NPA were also arrested in Bulacan while allegedly trying to mulct money from politicians in exchange for "permits to campaign."

Saturday's arrest came two days before Filipinos are to troop to polling centers to elect 12 senators and local officials.

In Southern Luzon, on the other hand, Calabarzon regional police detained five men – one of them an incumbent barangay chairman – and seized firearms in raids in Batangas province, radio dzBB's Mao dela Cruz reported Saturday.

In Barangay Quilo-Quilo in Padre Garcia town, police seized from the house of village chairman Felix Tumambing a 9-mm pistol, and ammunition for cal-.45 and 9-mm pistols.

In Barangay Tamak, police seized a cal-.45 pistol, ammunition for a cal-.45 handgun, and six rifle grenades from the house of former village chairman Rene Maala.

Tumambing, Maala and at least three other suspects were taken into custody.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/307837/news/regions/6-npa-guerrillas-seeking-permits-to-campaign-from-candidates-arrested-in-bulacan