CEBU, Philippines - At least 66 villages in Panay Island are now under military's watch as part of the security preparations for the October 2013 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Brigadier Gen. Arnold Quiapo, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade, said these barangays have been the sites where the NPA rebels usually operate.
Twenty-one villages were considered NPA infected or influenced, while 45 others were classified as threatened.
"Ito 'yung mga barangay na tinitingnan namin kasi these are the areas where the NPA rebels have their stronghold," said Quiapo.
Concerning NPA influence, elections at the barangay level are a little difficult to handle compared to the national polls, Quiapo said.
"Ito kasi yung areas na may direct influence sila … nalalapitan talaga sila ng mga kandidato. They are expected to really flex their muscles because whoever controls the barangay officials has the power over the barangay," he explained.
Quiapo said extortion demands on politicians have dropped, compared to months prior to the May 2013 polls, "They could not ask for money in the guise of permit to campaign. They are now trying to get sympathy from barangay candidates for support," he added.
Meanwhile, a dentist who has a clinic at a mall in downtown Iloilo City Proper had reported to have received an extortion demand from the NPA-Panay's Coronacion Chiva Waling-Waling Command.
A surprised Dr. Daniel de la Cruz said he received a text message from someone who identified himself as Julian Paisano, spokesman of the said group, demanding from the dentist for a P5,000 monthly support to the NPA movement.
The message said the demanded money should be given within 24 hours, but did not say what will happen to de la Cruz if he would not comply. Authorities have yet to confirm if the message really came from the NPA. (FREEMAN)