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Thursday, December 11, 2003
Revolutionary tax collection curtailed in Diwalwal: Ermita
By Ben O. Tesiorna
COLLECTION of revolutionary taxes by the New People's Army (NPA) in the gold-rich mountain of Diwalwal has greatly reduced due to the presence of the Army in the area.
Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the deployment of the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion in Diwalwal has curtailed the rebels from exacting money from the people of Diwalwal.
It can be recalled that former Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp) chief Gen. Victor Corpus identified Diwalwal as a major source of funding for the NPA.
Unconfirmed reports, however, claimed that though the collection of revolutionary taxes decreased in Diwalwal, there was an increase in the number of rebels now directly involved in mining.
Ermita said it is perfectly alright for these rebels to mine gold as long as they do not go back to their old illegal ways.
He advised the rebels to coordinate with the Army in the area so they could help each other in keeping peace and order.
Ermita said the presence of Army soldiers in Diwalwal is a "breakthrough" since this is the first ever battalion of Army openly welcomed by the miners.
Several police and Army units had been earlier dispatched to Diwalwal, but all of them were opposed by the miners.
Ermita congratulated 36th IB commander Lt. Col. Max Caro for a job well done.
(December 11, 2003 issue)
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