Arevalo warns politicians vs. NPA extortion

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The aim is to put more pressure on the NPA remnants, who may again extort money from politicians, in exchange for favors, said Arevalo, who paid a courtesy call on Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol Building in Bacolod City.

Infantry units of the 3ID are stationed in the islands of Panay, Negros, Bohol, Cebu, and Siquijor.

Arevalo warned politicians against giving support to the CPP-NPA in exchange for political favors, adding they will also be made liable for it. He, however, would not confirm or deny that some politicians in the two Visayas regions are doing it.

Major General Benedict Arevalo (left), commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, called on Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday at the Capitol in Bacolod City. | Capitol photo

He told Lacson that there is an order from DILG Secretary Eduardo Año for them to refrain from taking action against local chief executives (LCEs) extending support to terrorist groups, such as the CPP-NPA.

This is to avoid friction between them and the LCEs, Arevalo said.

He said they were informed by Año that all reports of LCEs or candidates, who are supporting the CPP-NPA for election purposes, will be coursed through the DILG and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

He called on candidates, who may have received extortion letters from the NPA, to link up with them secretly and make arrangements with regards to security issues.

“Definitely, it is illegal to give in to the extortion scheme of the local terrorist group,” Arevalo stressed.

“Just let us know the real score or situation, and we will help,” he added. — GB