Rebel-controlled areas CPP-NPA-NDF bans entry for Tan candidates

CATBALOGAN CITY , Philippines  â€“ The CPP-NPA-NDF yesterday issued a stern statement against all candidates from the Tan Family led by incumbent Rep. Milagrosa Tan, declaring that the family members are not allowed and will not be allowed to campaign in rebel-controlled areas in the entire province of Samar.

Father Santiago Salas, CPP-NPA-NDF spokesperson, informed that the Tan Family is being held accountable by the rebel group for gross corruption, abetting human rights violations and collaborating with the military’s counter insurgency campaign, aside from the alleged intent to hold on to all top executive positions that are at stake in the upcoming May 2013 elections.

“These are serious crimes and are enough to deny entry to political candidates from the Tan Family in areas under the jurisdiction of the revolutionary authorities,” Salas said in his statement to The Freeman.

Representative Mila Tan is running for a second term of Samar’s 2nd District; her daughter Gov. Sharee Ann Tan and son Vice Gov. Stephen James Tan, are also running for reelections; another son, Reynolds Michael Tan, is running for mayor of Catbalogan City, daughter Angel Tan is gunning for the mayoralty in Calbayog City, while brother-in-law Arnold Tan is vying for Samar’s 1st congressional district.

Salas further accused the Tans of entrenching their family’s economic and business interest in the entire duration of their political involvement in the province, which according to Salas is significantly flourishing, such as their money lending business, commercial stores, real state and shipping.

Salas alleged that while the Tan family benefits from their respective positions in government, the provincial employees and the common people have been suffering from “grinding poverty, deprival of social services and militarization.”

The CPP-NPA-NDF had entrusted the implementation of the No Entry Order versus the Tan Family to the Arnulfo Ortiz Command of the New People’s Army based in western Samar, to include electoral access against armed goons, the military, police and paramilitary escorts.

Aside from the electoral restrictions, the rebel group also warned the Tan Family not to indulge in any form of violence against their rivals, and not to resort to vote-buying and bribery, as these circumstances accordingly will not be tolerated by their forces especially in the so-called revolutionary territories.

The Tan family could not be reached for comment as of this writing, but just recently, the provincial government of Samar in an effort to invite more rebels to return to the fold of law had supported the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the Philippine Army.

The Tan administration had provided several assistance to former rebels, including support for various infrastructure projects.  (FREEMAN)