By Gail Momblan/PNA
ILOILO CITY — More politicians in Western Visayas received extortion letters from rebel groups as the campaign period for local candidates draws near, the Philippine Army’s 61’st Infantry Battalion (61IB) has said.
Lt. Col. Sisenado Magbalot Jr., commanding officer of the 61Ib, said that politicians started to report that they received extortion letters from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) last month.
“We anticipate more reports as we approach the campaign period for local bets,” Magbalot said in a phone interview on Wednesday.
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 (Western Visayas) also said the same.
In a press conference on Monday, Police Brigadier General John Bulalacao, regional police director, said three politicians received extortion letters from the rebel group.
“We have received three and we expect this, especially this campaign season, but I am requesting those who have received to tell us and we will do necessary actions with coordination of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Bulalacao said.
He refused to divulge the names and location of the three politicians for security reasons.
“We are still verifying if this is authentic letter coming from them (CPP-NPA),” he said, adding that the letters even carry serial numbers.
He said that no amount of money was requested by the rebel group “but they are requesting that a representative for their target would talk to NPA” to probably discuss the amount.
Bulalacao suggested to politicians who will receive extortion letters to report to the PRO-6 and discuss the concept in addressing the matter in their favor.
Meanwhile, Magbalot said they “had been receiving more” reports than the PRO-6.
“We still have to clear if we are talking of the same incident but all of these (extortion letters) also have to be validated. The reports we gathered are from the area of the 61st IB- within Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras,” he said.
Magbalot also encouraged the politicians not to give in to the demands of the rebels because “it will just enhance its logical support.”
He assured that government troops are active in protecting election candidates.
