AFP clarifies: LGU to provide P100K reward for every NPA, terrorist killed

MANILA, Philippines — The military on Friday clarified that the P100,000 reported reward for every communist or Islamist militant killed or captured would come from a local government unit and not the Armed Forces.

The AFP said that the money could not come from the military as there was no existing policy governing such rewards.

“There was no such announcement made by the AFP on the reported 100 Thousand Pesos Reward Money for every member of terrorist NPA,” Col. Edgard Arevalo, the AFP’s public affairs chief, said in a statement, referring to the communist group listed by the US as a terror organization.

On Wednesday, Gen. Eduardo Año, the military chief, announced that the local government of Negros Occidental would put up a P100,000 reward to contribute to efforts to defeat the New People’s Army and Islamist groups.

Año cited the pronouncement of Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division based in Panay, in making the announcement.

Aying said the P100,000 bounty was initially declared by President Rodrigo Duterte during his visit on Negros Island to condole with the families of six cops killed by NPA fighters in an ambush in Guihulngan City last month, according to the military chief.

“That was a pronouncement by General Aying. The reward will come from the local government of Negros Occidental,” Año said, describing it as a local initiative that will contribute to the efforts “to destroy the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA.”

Arevalo said that reward attributed to the military could be the bounty offered by the local government of Negros Occidental and other stakeholders in the province for any information that would help lead to the “neutralization” of terror organizations, drug syndicates and communist rebels.

“This was the LGU's and some civic entities' response to the repulsive terrorist atrocities by syndicated groups feeding on helpless civilians and businessmen who have become fed up with the NPA's criminal acts,” he said, describing the Maoist fighters as an “organized crime group.”

The military spokesman described as “incidental” any boost the reward may have on the efforts of security personnel to counter terrorist and communist fighters.

“But we appreciate their valiant stand against these menaces to society. That manifests theirs and stakeholders' united resolve to protect their constituents and residents,” he said.

Arevalo said that the cooperation, vigilance and active involvement of local governments and citizens could prevent or resolve quickly attempts to disrupt the peace and development of communities.

“They can, by their concerted efforts to secure their communities, shield the peace dividends from the clutches of evil,” he added.