CPP-NPA extortion down to less than 30 percent in S. Luzon—Parlade

THE continuing surrender, arrests and neutralization of the members and leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), is now taking their tool in the two terrorist groups’ ability to generate money for the violent revolution they are advocating to bring down the government.

Particularly for Southern Luzon, previously a hotbed of communist activities, Armed Forces (AFP) area commander, Lt. General Antonio ‘Jun’ Parlade, said their estimate now show that extortion and other enforced “taxation” on businesses and construction projects in his area of responsibility (AOR) by the CPP-NPA have been reduced by as much as “70 percent.”

“Even (private) contractors of public work projects have expressed their ‘surprise’ that although the end of year (2020) has come, none from these terrorist groups have stepped forward to extort ‘protection money’ from them,” the official added.

Previously, Parlade said that  NPA ‘tax collectors’ would appear at the offices of contractors where they would demand the “partial payment” of the ‘revolutionary tax’ as computed by the terrorists even before the start of any project, with the “balance” demanded by the time it is completed.

“Ngayon, patapos o tapos na ang proyekto, wala pa ring nanghihingi sa kanila,” Parlade told Pinoy Exposé, in the vernacular.

He said this is ‘proof’ that the NPA has already lost the capacity to extort money from business enterprises due to its dwindling number and eroded support from civilians.

And as the number of NPA ‘surrenderees’ continue to increase, Parlade said they also expect the number of local officials being identified as giving aid, comfort and material support to the armed communists to also increase.

Referring to this paper’s banner story last week (‘2 Solons, 3 Governors, 5 Mayors, guilty of aiding Reds), the official said their “updated partial list” of local government officials giving monetary support to these terrorist groups now include 74 names, with two more mayors added.

Also, now identified are “two district engineers” from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and whom Parlade wants DPWH secretary, Mark Villar, to investigate.

Solcom comprises the Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions where the CPP-NPA still has a strong presence having established their “mass bases” there as far back as the early ‘70s.

Due to the sensitivity of the information, however, Parlade declined to provide other information for the moment but stressed the information was grounded from the testimony and sworn affidavits of the former rebels and could therefore be used as evidence in any court or administrative proceeding.

“I would not speculate at this point why they did what they did or if they are still giving money to these terrorists.

“Only a full-dress investigation can establish the reason behind their decision,” Parlade said, referring to those named in their list.

“But all government officials, from the barangay councilman up to the level of the President and everyone else in between, like the DPWH engineers, all of us have taken an oath of loyalty to our flag and our government.

“It is our sworn duty to protect and support the government from all its enemies, both foreign and domestic and violating our oath has consequences,” Parlade stressed.

He also reminded those tagged that the CPP-NPA are confirmed terrorist organizations and have been described as such not only by the Philippine government but by other countries as well, such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and by the European Union, among others.

Already, Quezon province fourth district board member, Rhodora ‘Dhoray’ Tan, has found herself in deep trouble after Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary, Eduardo M. Año, ordered the filing of criminal and administrative charges against Tan.

This, after two lower-ranking NPA leaders with standing warrant of arrest were nabbed by a joint police-military team last December 26, 2020, at the residence of Tan in the town of Atimonan.

If found guilty, Tan could face up to six years imprisonment and perpetual disqualification to hold any public office, according to the DILG.