By Jennifer P. Rendon
This campaign period might be one for the books.
In its final stretch, authorities have yet to receive reports of politicians paying permit to campaign (PTC) or permit to win (PTW) fees to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
This might not be conclusive, though, according to Captain Kim Apitong, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
“We couldn’t tell if there are politicians who gave in but chose to keep their silence. But one thing is clear: the NPA’s usual practice of extorting money in the guise of PTC or PTW did not succeed,” he said.
For Apitong, this could be attributed to the Philippine Army’s consistent reminders to politicians not to give in to the demand of rebels.
He also said that Republic Act No. 11479 (Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020) – a counter-terrorism law intended to prevent, prohibit, and penalize terrorism in the Philippines – may have also been a factor.
“Giving funds to NPA will be punishable under the said law. That’s why, politicians and even business owners are wary of giving any form of support to the NPAs,” he said.
Another contributor my factor was the neutralization of NPA’s finance officers.
Since January of this year, Apitong said the 3ID already has 18 successful combat operations.
The most notable are the “neutralization” of spouses Elbert Nicolas Quillano alias Carding and Jessa Luiso Quillano alias Clean/JS who were killed in an encounter at Sitio Kulihaw, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on April 1.
Elbert was allegedly a finance officer while Jessa was a medical officer of an NPA platoon operating in central Negros island.
Apitong said that the couple, along with other high ranking NPA members, oversaw the group’s alleged extortion scheme, like the PTC and PTW.
“And because of our relentless monitoring and combat operation in Panay and Negros, their plans on extortions and attacks were disrupted. There movements are being monitored, not only by us but by the concerned communities who continuously report to us about their presence in a particular area,” he said.
Apitong has also assured the public that even beyond election period, they would continue to aggressively run after local terrorists.
