The New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have shifted their focus to electoral activities in preparation for the local and national May 2010 polls.
Col. Maximo Caro, commanding officer of 303rd Infrantry Brigade (303rd IB) based in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental, said they received reports that key cadres of the CPP-NPA had been actively campaigning for their candidates aspiring for national positions in the government.
Based on the intelligence report, the NPAs have fielded their key political cadres in the barangays to campaign for their candidates.
Meanwhile, their allied groups also help in the voter’s education campaign conducted among residents in far-flung barangays in Southern Negros relative to the poll automation.
In Iloilo, the rebels also embarked on extortion activity, through the campaign fees during this election period victimizing a political candidate in northern Iloilo.
Fell victim to the recent rebels' extortion activity was mayoralty aspirant Ligaya Lipura of Lemery, Iloilo who refused to give in to their demand.
The Lemery PNP said seven armed rebels, led by Romulo Gangoso, alias 'Ka Regan' was tagged to have perpetrated the burning of Lipura’s farm tractor on Thursday morning in Brgy. Pakwan, a hinterland barangay located near the boundary of Maayon in Capiz.
Apart from the campaign fee, the rebels also demanded revolutionary tax of P50,000 from Lipura every time she harvested her crops, which the candidate also refused. - PNA
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