Candidates with sample ballots in Reds’ areas face probe

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will investigate politicians whose sample ballots appear in rebel-infested communities.

DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya gave the warning after receiving reports of politicians still paying the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels for permit to campaign in their areas.

The government said the NPA, the armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has amassed P195.5 million through its extortion activities during elections since 2016.

“If there are sample ballots circulating in rebel infested areas, obviously something is happening there,” Malaya told a news briefing yesterday.

Malaya though admitted the mere presence of sample ballots in perceived rebel infested areas is just a “red flag,” not enough evidence to file charges against the politicians for aiding terrorism and rebellion.

“That is just a red flag, meaning it merits an investigation. It doesn’t mean there is collusion,” Malaya said.

“We will have a formal investigation and see if there are elements for a crime,” he said.

Based on latest reports they received from the police and military, Malaya said there are now fewer candidates giving extortion money to the rebels.

“We are pleased to find out that based on intelligence reports this year, few local candidates have succumbed or gave in to their extortion activities,” he said.

The DILG earlier said 349 national and local government officials ranging from congressmen, governors down to barangay councilors are being monitored for allegedly colluding with the NPA.

Malaya declined to give specific figures on the decline as the validation process is ongoing. He said they would provide an update after the midterm elections once they have gathered enough evidence.

Extortion activities remain prevalent in the regions of Cordillera, Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Quezon province where the rebels have a presence.

Meanwhile, an Army commander in Eastern Visayas has ordered his men to remain non-partisan.

Maj. Gen. Raul Farnacio, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan, Samar, directed his field commanders to ensure troop deployment in support of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in order to ensure that the upcoming political exercise is free from any form of intimidation.

“Soldiers and other law enforcement personnel that are found guilty of committing election offenses such as accepting bribe money or campaigning for a particular candidate will face appropriate sanction or penalty based on existing laws and regulations,” Farnacio said.

In Central Mindanao, a majority of the Army troops will now be deployed for election duties.

“Around 5,000 Army regulars and 6,000 militiamen will be deployed in areas and places with intense political rivalries,” said Maj. Gen Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao.

While the soldiers will be shifting from combat mode to election mode, special military units will sustain ground operations against local and foreign terrorists, Sobejana said. – With Jaime Laude