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Monday, January 19, 2004
Bets told: Guns, goons banned in rebel zones
By Harley F. Palangchao
BAGUIO -- Aspirants for elective posts in the May elections were warned Sunday not to bring with them guns and armed goons when they conduct campaign sorties inside zones controlled by New People's Army (NPA) guerillas.
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said all election candidates campaigning in guerrilla zones would be asked to comply with the rules and regulations of the underground movement. This is to ensure they would not create trouble inside NPA turfs. The NPA is the armed wing of the CPP.
Rosal, on the other hand, explained the permit-to-campaign (PTC) fee was being imposed nationwide and on all politicians, and even President Arroyo is mandated to pay the toll.
Just like in previous elections, politicians would be left with no option but to pay campaign fees, Rosal claimed, adding at least 10 million voters are located in guerilla zones.
Rosal brushed aside government's statement that the campaign fees are against the law and that candidates should ignore the rebels' demand.
He also belittled the threat by the military and police that they will use force to prevent the CPP-NPA from implementing the permit to campaign policy.
Rosal said candidates and political parties from the national to the local levels have been holding meetings with revolutionary authorities to explain how their respective programs of government are supposed to be pro-people. They are also claiming they can help in the CPP-NPA and revolutionary mass organization's own socio-economic welfare programs for the people as well as coordinate their campaign activities and meet security requirements.
He added that politicians are specifically asked to support revolutionary programs for the benefit of the people, including various economic, medical, educational, literacy and cultural programs.
Rosal explained a significant part of proceeds from campaign fees are used to fund such programs.
"These revolutionary socio-economic programs actually make up for the historical neglect by the government and provide immediate relief to the deprived, impoverished and long-suffering people, especially in the countryside."
(January 19, 2004 issue)
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