POLICE Brigadier General John Bulalaco, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas, denounced the extortion activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in Western Visayas targeting political candidates of the midterm elections in May.
Bulalacao, in a statement, said the police have intercepted copies of letters from the CPP-NPA addressed to political candidates demanding fees so that politicians will be allowed to campaign within their claimed territories.
He said he already ordered the Intelligence Units and the Regional Mobile Forces, in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to intensify the campaign against the extortion activities of the CPP-NPA.
"We shall not allow them to continue this evil act of extortion, which is detrimental to the peace and order of our country. The proceeds of their extortion activities are used to finance arms procurement which will be used to kill soldiers, police, politicians, businessmen and other innocent civilians as they continue their terrorist activities," Bulalacao continued.
Bulalacao warned all the candidates for the 2019 midterm elections, as well as sitting local officials, not to give in to the extortion demands of the CPP-NPA, otherwise they may face possible sanctions such as disqualification or possible violations of the Revised Penal Code and other pertinent provisions of the Omnibus Election Code.
Bulalacao said the Philippine National Police and the AFP, together with other law enforcement agencies, are exerting maximum efforts to ensure peace and order in all areas, and to ensure there will be no intimidation or manipulation from any lawless group such as the CPP-NPA. (MAP)