|
Thursday, March 04, 2004
Poll bets who pay NPA campaign fees to face raps
By Garry Cabotaje
POLITICIANS seeking reelection in the May 10 polls could be charged criminally if they yield to the rebels’ demand for permit-to-campaign fees, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 warned.
The PRO 7 ordered all city, provincial and Regional Mobile Group 7 directors to immediately investigate candidates if they give in to the demand of the New People’s Army (NPA).
“...if supported by evidence, file charges against the involved political candidates,” read the two-page PRO 7 order.
The PRO 7 considers the giving of fees to the NPA as an act of betrayal to the Filipino people and that politicians can even be charged with rebellion as “co-conspirators.”
The PNP’s warning followed after a congressman in Region 8 reportedly admitted in public that he gave P800,000 and several M16 rifles to an NPA commander.
Anti-reb campaign
So, the PRO 7 ordered its field commanders to continue the anti-insurgency campaign, especially against communist rebels who extort money and material resources from politicians.
If requested, the PNP must provide security to candidates if they campaign in rebel-controlled areas, it said.
As to the filing of a criminal case, the PRO 7 said politicians seeking reelections can be criminally charged with violation of Article 137 of the Revised Penal Code for disloyalty if they pay the NPA’s permit-to-campaign fees.
The PRO 7 considers reelectionist candidates as public officers.
Penalty
Article 137 of Revised Penal Code provides that the penalty of six months and one day shall be imposed upon public officers or employees who have failed to resist a rebellion by all the means in their power, or shall continue to discharge the duties of their offices under the control of the rebels or shall accept appointment to office under them.”
If it’s proven that the fee made is part and parcel of conspiracy between the rebels and the politician to overthrow the government, the latter could be charged with rebellion as a conspirator, the PRO 7 said.
The PRO 7 cited Article 136 of the Revised Penal Code which states that “the conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection shall be punished respectively, with prision correctional in its maximum period and a fine not exceeding P5,000, and by prision correctional medium period and a fine not exceeding P2,000.
(March 4, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
