AFP reminds pols not to pay NPA permits to campaign

BUTUAN CITY – With the 2016 elections swiftly drawing near, the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) reminded politicians, who will vie for elective posts, that the permit to win (PTW) and permit to campaign (PTC) fees by the New People’s Army (NPA) are illegal and should not be tolerated.

According to Capt. Joe Patrick A. Martinez, regional Army spokesman of Fourth Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID), the permits were illegal and are in violation of Section 10 Para C of Article lX of the 1987 Constitution that states that “bona fide candidates for any public office shall be free from any form of harassment and discrimination.”

“Thus, this PTW and PTC are both illegal and any candidate seeking for any public office will be protected by law,” stressed the Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th ID spokesperson.

Martinez disclosed this following declassified intelligence sources that the communist insurgents were starting to draw up a list of candidates who will be running in the 2016 elections.

These candidates will be targeted for collection of PTW and PTC fees.

“Communist rebels have started sending letters to politicians, reminding them of payment of PTW and PTC fees when the election season starts. (This extortion scheme) means millions of pesos will be collected from the politicians every election,” Martinez said.

As such, Martinez underscored that politicians should not give in to this form of harassment.

“This fee collection scheme is automatic for the rebels during election season. But their menacing demand letters are all just empty threats that must not be tolerated,” stressed Martinez. (Mike U. Crismundo)