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Monday, September 08, 2003
Chamber urges traders to unite amid NPA threats
By Christie Enriquez- Uayan
DAVAO City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCCI) president Romeo Serra urged the city's industry key players Friday to unite amid threats issued by the New People's Army (NPA).
NPA Spokesperson for Mindanao George Madlos, alias Ka Oris, earlier warned businessmen of reprisal if they refuse to pay their "revolutionary taxes".
"I urge the members of the Chamber, let's unite and pressure the political leadership of the city to really take action against the current threat posed by the rebels regarding revolutionary taxation," Serra said in his speech during the DCCCI 8th General Membership Meeting over the weekend.
Serra said if the traders in the city will move as one, their advocacies and clamor for more protection would have "a louder voice" and compel the authorities to immediately aid the sector in solving the problem.
To date, however, Serra admitted that the city's traders have yet to complain of NPA extortion.
This came as he expressed doubt that the NPA rebels had a hand on the burning of a Holiday taxi unit last week in Ma-a.
The DCCCI president also expressed hope that Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will be able to quash the threats after making a promise that he will go to the mountains to personally talk with the NPA officials on sparing the business sector from violence.
But Serra did not hide his disappointment over some of the city officials who alleged that a few businessmen are paying some crooked politicians to advance their interests and gain protection from legislative attacks.
"They should not do that because they are politicians," Serra said as he expressed his dismay over the issue.
However, a strategic plan is being drafted by the DCCCI board, together with the military and police authorities to completely protect the traders according to him.
The Chamber president earlier called the NPA issue as "unproductive and a danger to the city's business community and economy."
(September 8, 2003 issue)
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