THE New People's Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental denied the alleged extortion hurled at them by two businessmen in Bacolod City.
In a statement forwarded by Ka Juanito Magbanua, spokesperson for the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command in Negros, he said there is no truth in the allegations that they extorted P30,000 in cash from the two businessmen.
Magbanua explained that the NPA never makes calls when they are implementing the collection of "revolutionary tax," pointing out such transactions are made via an official letter.
A "fair" negotiation between them and the client will then be made.
Magbanua also denied that the taxes they collect is a form of extortion.
The rebels also accused the army, police, and the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade as the ones behind the extortion claimed by the two businessmen.
They also pointed at the timing of the businessmen's allegations as the city government of Bacolod has recently declared the NPA as persona-non-grata.
Magbanua also denied the allegations that they were involved in the strafing of a construction site in Sitio Pataan in Bago City last August.
Last week, two businessmen visited Police Station 4 (PS4) after they were allegedly extorted by individuals claiming to be members of the NPA.
PS4 commander, Police Major Reynante Jomocan, said the two visited the station after they received calls from individuals claiming to be NPA insurgents.
According to the victims, the individuals said they will not harass their businesses if they give them P30,000.
However, Jomocan said it is possible those behind the phone calls may not be insurgents and only using the NPA name.
The police commander advised the two victims to block the phone numbers in order to avoid being victimized in the future.