• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army discouraged candidates in the May 12 elections from paying “permit to campaign” or “permit to win” fees, as the campaign period is set to kick off on February 11.
While they have not monitored any reports of such demands being imposed by the New People’s Army, Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, acting commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, however, said that if there are any, it should be immediately reported to the authorities.
Samson also raised the possibility that aside from the NPA, somebody, or some groups, may also take advantage of it.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) earlier ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army, to enforce a set of policies for politicians entering into what it claims are “revolutionary areas.”
In a statement, the CPP said “candidates and their supporters will be allowed to conduct their election campaigns in accordance with established guidelines.”
Politicians are prohibited from bringing armed goons and police and military escorts, which the CPP claimed usually serve to intimidate the people. It also said that the NPA has standing orders to seize the weapons of candidates and their armed goons.
Samson, however, said that NPA remnants in Negros and Panay may not be able to impose those so-called policies, as they are always on the run and avoiding ongoing focused military operations.
He said they have not stopped their military operations against rebel remnants, as they continued the pressure on the rebels.*
