Permit-To-Campaign PRO-6 doubts authenticity of NPA’s extortion letters

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The Police Regional Office-6 said yesterday that it has doubts on the authenticity of the permit-to-campaign (PTC) letters supposedly sent by the New People’s Army (NPA).

For one, the letter was written in English, noted Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr., PRO6 director. “Usually, matalinhaga kung magsulat ang mga NPA. They usually write on the native tongue of the area where they operate,” he said.

In the case, the PTC letters sent to some politicians in Antique province were fluently written in English. “There was also no greeting like the usual salutations made by the rebel group,” Cruz said.

Nevertheless, Cruz said the police are now investigating these extortion activities. “We are not also discounting the possibility na may mga nakakatanggap talaga na ibang pulitiko at hindi lang nag-re-report sa PNP or sa AFP,” he said.

Meanwhile, Major Ray Tiongson, chief of the 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, said they have not received information about the NPA’s PTC racket. “We are doing continuous monitoring, especially in areas identified as election watchlist,” he added.

In a recent Regional Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council (RJPSCC), 40 areas in Western Visayas were placed under election watchlist areas (EWAs).

Of these, Negros Occidental has 13 EWAs, Iloilo has 11, Antique has seven, Capiz has five, Aklan has three, and Iloilo City has one. There were no EWAs in Bacolod City and Guimaras province.

Earlier, Malacañang has warned the candidates of falling prey to the NPA’s extortion scheme in the form of paying campaign fees. The PTCs allegedly circulated in the Luzon areas have corresponding rates depending on the candidate’s post. (FREEMAN)