‘RESIST EXTORTION’ Reds target Iloilo ‘Tsinoy’ bizmen

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[av_heading heading=’ ‘RESIST EXTORTION’ Reds target Iloilo ‘Tsinoy’ bizmen ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRCO
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Monday, December 4, 2017
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ILOILO City – There are no New People’s Army (NPA) hit men in the city, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

What the rebels deployed to the city were not members of their Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) but extortionists targeting mostly Chinese-Filipino businessmen, said Brigadier General Pio Diñoso of the Philippine Army’s 301st Brigade.

The SPARU is the NPA’s assassination squad. Phone text messages that circulated recently claimed members of this unit descended to the city from the hinterlands for special missions.

But according to Diñoso, “Sa latest na impormasyon, wala talagang presence ng SPARU. May mga grupo sila na nandito to collect some amount sa mga businessmen kasi nagugutom na talaga sila.”

The Army general appealed to businessmen not to cave in to the rebels’ extortion.

“Huwag magbigay kasi once magbigay tayo, sunod-sunod na ‘yang mga extortion activities na gagawin nila especially ngayong Pasko,” said Diñoso.

He assured the businessmen of military and police protection.

Director General Ronald Dela Rosa of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has put on notice those aiding the NPA.

“Kakasuhan natin sila kung may ebedensiya tayo against sa kanila,” he declared during a visit on Nov. 29 to check wounded policemen that the rebels ambushed in Maasin, Iloilo on Nov. 24.

Dela Rosa admitted the NPA remains a threat to the peace and security of Western Visayas. Former Armed Forces chief of staff Eduardo Año, on Nov. 28, said the government intended to wipe out the rebels from Panay Island before the end of 2018.

“I warn those helping and supporting the rebels. They are criminally liable,” said Dela Rosa.

According to Diñoso, in the countryside “wala nang nagbigibay sa kanila so dito naman sila sa city at sa mga towns kung saan tinatakot nila ang ating mga businessmen.”

The phone text message that recently circulated read: “Received from reliable source. Positive ang report halin sa Leon, deployment of NPA SPARU hit men sa Barangay Sto. Niño Sur, Sooc, Calaparan, Calumpang, Timawa, North Baluarte. Members aging from 19 – 35 years old…”

It was unclear from where the text message emanated. It linked a Chinese businessman and his Filipina wife to the SPARU as financiers.

“Please exercise personal safety and situational awareness everytime,” the text message further read.

Iloilo City police director Senior Superintendent Henry Biñas said the intelligence community has been watching the situation closely.

Rebels going hungry in the mountains have resorted to extortion, according to the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).

Their targets include construction companies, politicians, businessmen and even marginal farmers in hinterland villages.

Giving in to the rebels’ demands is tolerating their illegal activity, warned the 3ID early this year.

During a visit here on Nov. 28, Año, now undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, urged rebels to better surrender peacefully.

The government has a reintegration program that includes housing and livelihood, he said./PN
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