Army hails local bets for defying CPP-NPA demands, threats
Candidates in next month's elections are called and labeled with just about all unsavory and unappealing tags yet for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) here, they are simply modern-day heroes.
With high praises for actions categorized as gallant acts, Army Captain Lowen Gil Marquez of the 3rd Civil Relations Group went out to issue an official Army statement.
The accolades are fitting, Captain Marquez explained saying it has strengthened government action for the people and against the communist group given the candidates' "courage to expose CPP/NPA/NDF extortion and terrorism activities in Region VI during this campaign period."
From the infamous communist-demanded revolutionary taxes to exorbitant fees passed off as "requirement" for the issuance of "Permit to Campaign," the Army has since taken a bolder move to increase public awareness against said activities.
"This sacrifice of our political candidates in Western Visayas against the abusive CPP/NPA/NDF will not be in peril," Captain Marquez continued. "The AFP and the line agencies of the government and the different sectors of the society are helping each other to this kind of perennial problem."
Such as he went on to lambaste the CPP hierarchy calling the communist group as "Maoist extortionist, wanton human rights violator" and "root cause of abyss poverty and economic saboteurs."
"To all of our political candidates in Region VI, the Armed Forces of the Philippines not only applauds you as "heroes," we also salute you," the Army statement ended.
Meantime, Army records on purported extortion attempts of the local CPP/NPA victimized six Iloilo mayors already, one vice mayor, one provincial board and five town councilors.
Capiz has the most recorded victims at 19 town councilors, two mayors, two vice mayors and one member of the provincial board.