Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) Chief S/Supt. Augusto Marquez bared the force of the NPA in the province is already “manageable” although that doesn’t mean they are now complacent in their vigilance against the rebel movement. They are now a diminishing threat.
Rebels used to beset the provinces of Cebu and Bohol but because of government interventions that included pouring of basic government services and counter operations in affected areas, the NPA’s force weakened until they dried out.
Marquez said they are closely coordinating with the military in their area and strengthening intelligence network to ensure the force of the leftist movement will not gather strength through the recruitment of new members.
As the election season builds up, the NOPPO chief expressed concerns on the possible rise of cases of extortion by the NPA to political candidates. Elections are an avenue for the NPA to make money where they extort funds from the candidates so they can be allowed to campaign in rebel-infested areas dubbed as the ‘no permit, no campaign’ policy, Marquez revealed.
Marquez appealed to candidates not to give in to the demands of the NPA and to report to the police or military any attempts by the rebel movement to extort money. (PIA)
