MANILA: The Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday accused the leftist group New People’s Army (NPA) of exacting as much as P5m ($120,061) from each candidate to allow them to campaign in areas inhabited by leftist rebels.
Armed Forces spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos said they received information that leftist rebels have begun their extortion activities by forcing candidates to secure “permits to campaign” and “permits to win.”
Citing documents recovered by the 8th Infantry Division in central Philippines, Burgos said NPA rebels are demanding P5m from a candidate for provincial governor and P500,000 ($12,200) for those running for vice-governor and congressman.
Burgos urged candidates in the mid-term elections in May and owners of big businesses to refuse the demands of the leftist rebels.
Last year, the Armed Forces claimed that the NPA was able to collect P25m ($610,000) from their extortion activities.
The NPA, an armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front, has been waging war against the Philippine government for over four decades.
The Philippine star
