Tuesday, March 27, 2007 Politicos already paying NPA fees? By Carlo P. Mallo
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is already getting reports that some politicians have already paid the "permit-to-campaign" fees to the New People's Army (NPA).
Politicians allegedly pay this fee in order for them to be able to campaign unmolested in areas where the rebels are strong.
But Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Bautista, public information officer of the Army's 10th Infantry Division, said they still have to verify the information they have been receiving, thus he cannot divulge who these politicians are.
"I cannot give the figures yet as the reports are not yet validated," Bautista said.
He, however, stressed that paying "permit-to-campaign" is an act of treachery since the fund gathered will obviously be used by the rebels in their operations.
"For someone to fill the kitty of rebels working against the government when he himself intends to be part of the government is sheer treachery," he said.
In another concern, Bautista reiterated that the members of the military are prohibited from campaigning and performing any form of electioneering.
He challenged progressive groups accusing the military of campaigning against them to file their complaints with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Soldiers assigned in places far from their hometowns are included in the list of those qualified for local absentee voting where they can cast their votes anywhere they are assigned, but only for senators, party-list groups, and congressmen.
