By Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA
BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Army urged local government officials in Negros Occidental not to support the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), which has been tagged a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union.
Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, made the call on Monday after he disclosed that more than 30 incumbent elected officials in the province have been providing support to the NPA.
He did not identify these officials, but Arevalo said they include mayors, vice mayors and councilors.
The Army official said these officials provide financial and logistical support to the communist rebels, who then act as armed group for them, especially during elections.
“We remind them not to support the CPP-NPA,” Arevalo said.
Any individual or organization found to be providing any form of assistance to the CPP-NPA or their affiliated organizations could be sanctioned not only under Philippine laws, but also by countries that consider the communist guerillas as terrorists.
Earlier, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, said that once the Department of Justice officially declares the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization, the military can go after the rebel group’s supporters and financiers.
“It will come as a huge aid to us, we can have the support of the international community in cutting off any forms of help that the terror group receives,” Detoyato said.
