AFP chief warns bets on paying NPA election fees

Do not give in to the demands of communist rebels, the military reminded candidates in next year’s elections. 

Armed Forces public affairs chief Col. Noel Detoyato said the New People’s Army (NPA) would try to extort money from candidates through the issuance of so-called permits to campaign and win.

“It will just give them more money to fuel more violence,” Detoyato said in Manila.  

He said they are monitoring rebel-infested areas, particularly in the Compostela Valley, Quezon province and Abra.

 “We are awaiting the final list of hotspots… The Comelec (Commission on Elections) will decide,” he said.

Detoyato also called on candidates to report to the police or military if NPA rebels are harassing them. 

There are about 4,000 NPA guerrillas in the country, according to government estimates.