Sunday, September 16, 2007 Reds demand as much as P4M revolutionary tax from firms By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE New People's Army (NPA) is allegedly demanding as much as P4 million from big corporations operating in Davao Region as payment for revolutionary tax.
Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division spokesman Colonel Benito de Leon confirmed that extortion activities by the rebel group continue despite efforts of the government to stop it.
De Leon said they were given copies of some demand letters allegedly coming from the rebels asking from P2 to P4 million from several companies.
He refused though to name these companies, but said that most of them are telecommunication firms, mining corporations, and big plantations operating within the Davao region.
The Army official however clarified that they could not determine if the companies gave in to the demand of the rebels, saying what they are certain is that the NPA is still conducting extortion activities.
As to the veracity that the demand letters came from the NPA, de Leon said they have verified that some of the letters indeed came from the rebels while others are said to be just the ploy of some "fly-by-night extortionists."
