DILG, ULAP warn political candidates against giving in to extortion
Published Mar 27, 2019 08:24 pm
By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) reminded all political candidates in the May 13, 2019 mid-term elections not to give in to New People's Army's (NPA) extortion scheme.
In a joint press statement, DILG and ULAP reminded all candidates running for public office in the 2019 election that “financing the NPA and their terror activities will make them criminally and administratively liable under our laws."
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) (MANILA BULLETIN)
The DILG and ULAP also advised all candidates and their supporters not to be cowed by the terror group's demands and extortion activities and to immediately report these illegal activities to law enforcement agencies including the Comelec.
DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya noted that terrorism continues to be one of the predicaments of the government and supporting the NPA through extortion money is not helping the cause.
"Being a supporter of terrorism makes you complicit and liable under the laws of the land. The current administration's resolve in extinguishing terrorism in the country is resolute and we intend to sustain that," said Malaya.
"We will follow through on the President's directives. In fact, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año himself recently said that the NPA will be wiped out in the next two years," he added.
Malaya also emphasized that the DILG will not hesitate in filing administrative and criminal charges against politicians who will be proven to be in cahoots with the NPA.
The DILG recently exposed a watchlist containing names of 346 government executives who are allegedly providing financial support to the NPA through extortion money.
“We will not hesitate to file criminal and admin cases against politicians who will support terrorism. And we will expose your names to the public” noted Malaya.
DILG Secretary Año also directed the Philippine National Police to closely monitor the 346 on the DILG watch-list of politicians who have paid permits to campaign fees to the NPA in the last elections.
ULAP Secretary-General and Philippine Councilor's League National Chairperson Danilo C. Dayanghirang conveyed support to the DILG's campaign against terrorism and violence.
"We are in unison with President Rodrigo Duterte and Secretary Año in denouncing this extortion scheme of the NPA," he said.
"The Government exhausted all efforts in resuming the peace talks but with their continued perpetration of criminal activities including extortion, clearly show that their agenda is fueled by selfish interest and the goal of overthrowing our democratic government and way of life," added Dayanghirang.
"As far as ULAP is concerned, we will just follow the directive from the DILG and the COMELEC against the proliferation of terrorism and in curtailing this extortion scheme of the NPA," he said.
ULAP is the umbrella organization of all leagues of local government units and locally elected government officials.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) (MANILA BULLETIN)
The DILG and ULAP also advised all candidates and their supporters not to be cowed by the terror group's demands and extortion activities and to immediately report these illegal activities to law enforcement agencies including the Comelec.
DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya noted that terrorism continues to be one of the predicaments of the government and supporting the NPA through extortion money is not helping the cause.
"Being a supporter of terrorism makes you complicit and liable under the laws of the land. The current administration's resolve in extinguishing terrorism in the country is resolute and we intend to sustain that," said Malaya.
"We will follow through on the President's directives. In fact, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año himself recently said that the NPA will be wiped out in the next two years," he added.
Malaya also emphasized that the DILG will not hesitate in filing administrative and criminal charges against politicians who will be proven to be in cahoots with the NPA.
The DILG recently exposed a watchlist containing names of 346 government executives who are allegedly providing financial support to the NPA through extortion money.
“We will not hesitate to file criminal and admin cases against politicians who will support terrorism. And we will expose your names to the public” noted Malaya.
DILG Secretary Año also directed the Philippine National Police to closely monitor the 346 on the DILG watch-list of politicians who have paid permits to campaign fees to the NPA in the last elections.
ULAP Secretary-General and Philippine Councilor's League National Chairperson Danilo C. Dayanghirang conveyed support to the DILG's campaign against terrorism and violence.
"We are in unison with President Rodrigo Duterte and Secretary Año in denouncing this extortion scheme of the NPA," he said.
"The Government exhausted all efforts in resuming the peace talks but with their continued perpetration of criminal activities including extortion, clearly show that their agenda is fueled by selfish interest and the goal of overthrowing our democratic government and way of life," added Dayanghirang.
"As far as ULAP is concerned, we will just follow the directive from the DILG and the COMELEC against the proliferation of terrorism and in curtailing this extortion scheme of the NPA," he said.
ULAP is the umbrella organization of all leagues of local government units and locally elected government officials.