The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) has collected at least P300 million from their extortion activities throughout the country this year, a whopping 200 percent increase compared to “revolutionary taxes” gained by the communist group in 2010.
Citing reports from various units in the field, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the NPA collected at least P300 million from its extortion activities from January to December this year.
AFP deputy public affairs office chief Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto said that the amount was based on the information obtained by the military intelligence units throughout the country.
From January to November last year, the military reported that the NPA collected at least P95.5 million.
It was gathered that the NPA’s extortion activities are focused on the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Bukidnon, North Cotabato, Camarines Sur and Masbate.
“The NPA is losing its mass base support, so the rebels concentrate on extortion against big companies,” said Ileto.
“We will do everything we can to protect them (private companies) in cooperation with the Philippine National Police… these extortion activities have claimed so many lives of people, if we do not act on this, more people might die and stymied the progress of our country,” added Ileto.
Aside from the increased extortion, the AFP also blamed the NPA, the armed wing of the CPP, for perpetrating at least 31 atrocities against business establishments and government infrastructure projects to augment their “revolutionary tax” collection.
In October, more or less 200 NPA rebels raided three mining compounds in Barangay Taganito in Claver, Surigao del Norte, burning down more than P2 billion worth of equipment.
The AFP also accused the communist rebels of detonating at least 21 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that resulted in the killing of 28 people, five of them members of the military. At least 56 civilians and six soldiers were also killed during NPA guerrilla operations.
AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa expressed concern over the NPA’s criminal activities.
“We are concerned with the direction they are heading now. Resorting to criminal activities for funding and attacking civilians to command obedience are signs of desperation,” said Dellosa.
“Nothing can justify these immoral attacks against innocent civilians and their properties, especially when there are peaceful and democratic means that they could make use in order to advance their goals,” added Dellosa.
The CPP-NPA, through the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, is talking peace with the government. Mario J. Mallari, Daily Tribune
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