NDCC placing guards vs power outage during May polls

28 March 2010

AMIDST the current power crisis in Mindanao and fears of poll failure, the National Disaster Coordinating Council is taking steps to ensure that the automated elections in May will not be disrupted by power outages.

NDCC chair and Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales yesterday announced that he called a meeting of NDCC officers, including all the regional directors, today in Cebu to discuss the measures the crisis body is taking.

Gonzales said making an inventory of the current available generators in the country will be a major subject in today’s meeting.

Gonzales has earlier disclosed that NDCC is eyeing tapping privately-owned generators and positioning them, one in every cluster of precincts, during the May 10 elections. “We will be asking our people who have generators to register their generators with the NDCC so we can use them during the elections,” he said.

The defense chief noted that the Commission on Elections has already bought back up generators for the elections, but he said it is better to be redundant in contingency preparations than having nothing at all.

“Para mawala ang pangamba ng taumbayan, dadagdagan natin itong inihahanda ng COMELEC,” Gonzales said. “At sa taumbayan galling yan.”

“We cannot afford to have a failure of election. Government should exert all efforts to eliminate the possibility of failure of election,” Gonzales stressed.

Gonzales also bared that measures are being undertaken to ensure that there will be no power outage in Mindanao from May 8 to 12. To achieve this goal, the water of Lake Lanao is being preserved so that there will be enough supply for hydropower plants during the election period.

A state of calamity was declared in Mindanao earlier this month because of a severe power deficiency in the island resulting in daily brownouts that last four to five hours and ongoing for three weeks now.

Gonzales inspected some of the hydropower plants in Mindanao and held consultation meetings with the region’s key power stakeholders early this week.

Gonzales said, after his visit to Mindanao, that it is now necessary that government and the private sector study alternative sources of power for Mindanao because “suddenly, hydropower is unreliable because of El Nino.” Mindanao is 55% dependent on hydropower for its energy requirement.

Defense chief to AFP: Keep the nation together; Make RP First World

28 March 2010

EMPHASIZING the “pivotal role” of the Armed Forces in the country today, Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales in two recent occasions challenged the AFP to “keep the nation together” and to play its part in “(making) the country First World.”

“In these critical times, when our institutions are challenged and questioned, when pillars of our society are being pelted, it is extremely important that strategic institutions in the country be mindful of the responsibility and the obligation of keeping the nation together,” Gonzales said on Thursday, referring to the AFP.

Gonzales addressed colonels belonging to the Class 53 of the AFP Command and General Staff Course and the first graduates of a new masteral program on national security and development of the National Defense College of the Philippines, most of them middle-ranking military officers.

“I’m not saying this because I am the defense secretary… I have long realized the pivotal role of the AFP as an institution in the country today,” he added.

Gonzales described the Filipinos today as “confused for lack of information at that particular moment when they are being asked to choose their next president.”

On Friday, speaking in the graduation ceremony, Gonzales stressed the necessity for the Armed Forces to be very concerned about the country’s politics.

“We should never be partisan, as members of the AFP. But we should be very, very interested in the field of politics because it is one of the main reasons why we are still Third World today,” he said.

“The politics of the nation is messing us up, and we need to do something about it,” Gonzales declared.

Gonzales said it is difficult to accept that the country is still poor because “we are a nation very rich in natural and human resources.”

The defense chief said the nation should begin aspiring to become First World and he went on to point out the strategic role of the AFP in this endeavor.

Gonzales said rekindling the Filipino people’s love for their country is a fundamental requirement in building a First World Philippines, and a proud AFP is the trigger to this. Hence the need to upgrade the capabilities of the AFP, he said.

“Don’t forget that one of your fundamental duties is to march tall, putting in your mind and in your heart that you represent love of the country,” the defense chief told the graduates.

Gonzales also extolled the importance of military officials continuing to serve in government beyond active service, saying “In some of the greatest nations in the world, their bureaucracies are manned by former military officials.”

However, he noted that in the country, tapping former military officers for government service is seen unfavorably by some sectors. “When we start appointing military officers to our bureaucracy, we are saying that we are militarizing the bureaucracy. What’s wrong with that?”

“We will have to erase the distinction between military and non-military if we are to move on and build a better country in the future,” Gonzales said.

The defense chief also reminded the military officers against misinterpreting his point. “Do not think that just because the AFP is a strategic institution, you will be on top of our society. No.”

“We are trying to strengthen the AFP as an institution so that we can do better in serving our people. Remember that we are just servants of our nation,” Gonzales clarified.

Statement of Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales on Usec. Delos Reyes’ Departure from DND

25 March 2010

It is unfortunate that so much noise has been made on the recent departure of Undersecretary Ariston delos Reyes from the National Defense Department—an otherwise part of the normal process of Malacanang making appointments and terminating the same anytime it deems necessary.

Usec Delos Reyes was appointed presidential assistant upon his retirement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and, in 2007, he was seconded to the Department of National Defense as Undersecretary for Internal Affairs, a position created for him. His tour of duty in the DND, however, reached its maximum allowable term of three years in January this year.  People in the department brought this situation of Usec. Delos Reyes to our attention and we informed Malacanang about it. Presumably because of this, Malacanang recalled his DND deployment early this month. The Palace subsequently terminated his presidential appointment.

Having an appreciation for what Usec Delos Reyes’ principled service can contribute to the accomplishment of the goals I set for my own short term in DND as Acting Secretary, I asked him to stay in the department as consultant even after his recall by Malacanang. The good Usec, however, politely begged off and told me he wanted to simply fade away.

I hope that we can all stop creating issues where there is none. The real issues and challenges confronting the DND are many and herculean enough—restoring our people’s trust in the non-partisanship of the Armed Forces, helping COMELEC ensure a peaceful and credible 2010 election, institutionalizing the country’s disaster preparedness, upgrading the capabilities of the AFP and keeping it united and with high-morale. Unnecessary noise and distractions are the least the department needs in the face of these urgent national concerns.

No poll failure, no extension plan—Gonzales

21 March 2010

DEFENSE Secretary and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales yesterday dismissed fears of a failure of election that could possibly lead to President Arroyo’s prolonged stay in power.

“Let’s not talk about failure of election. COMELEC does not see any possibility of such occurrence, and we believe COMELEC in that,” Gonzales said.

“Government is not preparing for any failure of election because it will not happen. There is no need to do so,” Gonzales added.

The defense chief also noted that “it’s too presumptuous of the opposition to think that the military will be used to keep President Arroyo in power beyond June 30.”

“I don’t know where they are getting such ideas,” he said.

“Our term ends on June 30. We are all looking forward to a smooth transition of power on that day,” Gonzales declared.

Gonzales also expressed confidence in the Armed Forces’ determination and readiness to protect democracy and the integrity of the 2010 election.

“You know, something very good is happening to our Armed Forces and the police… I can see that they are really determined to keep our democracy safe. Wala akong nakikitang officers na nagpaplanong sirain ang kanilang institusyon,” Gonzales said.

“Kung may nakasingit man diyan, let’s see. But let’s not pre-judge our Armed Forces. Let us respect them,” Gonzales said.

On Friday, pressed by reporters in Clarkfield, Pampanga if he would follow an illegal order, he said he never thought for a moment of such a situation.

“It never occurred to me. Kasi, I know that our President will never issue an illegal order. And I will never do so myself,” he stressed.

Gonzales believes that the worst that can happen to the 2010 election is that the country will not have automated voting in 20 to 30 percent of the polling areas because of “the problems of transmission.” This problem is what government is bracing for, he said.

Gonzales made assurances that the poll body is preparing for the eventuality of incomplete automation. He also emphasized that “the Armed Forces will be there to assist the COMELEC to keep the election orderly and clean in areas where there will be problem in proceeding with automated voting.”

The defense chief maintained that the biggest threats to the integrity of the forthcoming election remain to be the extortion activities of the New People’s Army and the armed groups of many politicians.

The defense chief called on politicians with armed groups to dismantle these. “Kami sa Armed Forces at saka sa pulis, nakikiusap kami na huwag na kaming pilitin na gumamit pa ng puwersa para itigil ang kanilang armed activities.”

Acquisition of 18 new trainer jets boosts AFP modernization

19 March 2010

DEFENSE Secretary Norberto Gonzales has pushed the upgrading of the Armed Forces’ capability by reviving a US$ 13.1-million project for the acquisition of 18 new SF 260 trainer aircraft for the Philippine Air Force military pilot training.

Gonzales yesterday announced his approval of an amended contract for the supply and delivery of the aircraft by Italian company Alenia Aermacchi and its local partner, the Aerotech Industries Philippines, which is based in Clarkfield, Pampanga. The amended contract was earlier endorsed by new AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit and by PAF Commanding General Oscar Rabena.

Gonzales made the announcement in his visit to the Aerotech Philippines’ aircraft parts manufacturing and assembly facility in Clarfield Freeport Zone to check on the implementation of the project under the AFP modernization program.

SF 260 aircraft parts supplied by Aermacchi will be assembled by Aerotech Philippines in Clarfield. Some parts of the aircraft will also be manufactured by the local company.

The project is expected to boost not only the AFP modernization program but also the country’s aviation industry because of its technology transfer aspect. Aermacchi is transferring its aircraft assembly and some parts manufacturing to its local partner. This means that succeeding orders that the Italian company will henceforth receive will be coming from the Philippine facility, according to Aerotech Philippines.

The contract with the Italian company also involves integrated logistics package such as pilot, technical and maintenance training and after-sales support including provision of initial equipment and spare parts.

The SF 260 trainer aircraft is in service with 27 different military customers, civil professional flying schools and private operations worldwide with almost 1000 units in flight operations, according to Aerotech Philippines. Aside from the PAF, Aermacchi’s other latest customer is the Italian Airforce which acquired 30 SF 260 jets to upgrade its own fleet.

In his message after the project visit, Gonzales underscored the importance of upgrading and modernizing the country’s armed forces.

He said it is not only about building the country’s defense capability, but also about “triggering national pride by making the people proud of their armed forces, which are the ultimate symbol of their love for their country.”

“Making our people proud of the armed forces and of our country is essential in mobilizing them for national transformation.  We need to make the transformation from Third World to First World,” Gonzales said.

AFP modernization now possible—Gonzales

THE DEFENSE and military establishments are working 24/7 to jump-start the long-dreamed-of modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines now that it is already possible.

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales made this announcement on Friday during the Philippine Army change of command ceremony in Camp Bonifacio which he presided.

Gonzales said President Arroyo and Congress had made the modernization of the country’s armed forces now possible by granting “multi-year obligation authority (MYOA)” to the defense department.

“The President tasked me to work for the AFP modernization in earnest. We will begin it now. We will work to immediately upgrade our armed capability,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales said the modernization program can be pursued in two phases. The first phase is an interim one in which the country’s defense capability will be upgraded to a level that is “modest but lethal” and “can trigger our people’s national pride.”

“After ten years, full modernization can be pursued in earnest as the country becomes wealthy,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales believes that the first phase of the program can be done in two years and preparations for it can be made during the remaining months of the Arroyo government.

“We can even start the acquisition within our term if we really work 24/7,” the defense chief said even as he asked the military establishment “not to waste the golden opportunity that the President has given us.”

The AFP Modernization Act of 1995 has given the military the opportunity to modernize in 15 years with a total fund of P331B. However, only P28.9B of that amount has been utilized to date by the AFP. The modernization law is expiring this year.

Without the multi-year obligation authority, the defense department can only spend up to P5 billion per year from the modernization funds.

Gonzales emphasized the importance of modernizing the armed forces to the transformation of the country from Third World to First World.

“Modernizing our Armed Forces is not only about capability building.  It is also about rebuilding our respectability in the community of nations and in the eyes of our own people.  The AFP being the ultimate symbol of our love for our country, making it respectable is important in triggering our national pride, and national pride is essential in mobilizing our people for our country’s transformation from Third World to First World,” Gonzales said.

To expedite the implementation of the modernization program, Gonzales said government will change its mode of procurement. Instead of dealing with private suppliers, this time it will only get into government to government deals to do away with controversial biddings.

Villar denies paying permit-to-campaign fees to NPA

By Marvin Sy (The Philippine Star) Updated March 10, 2010 12:00 AM

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. yesterday said he has no reason to pay permit-to-campaign fees to the New People’s Army (NPA), as alleged by some of his detractors.

In fact, Villar implied that he, among all the presidential bets, has the least reason to pay such a fee, denounced by the government as an extortion scheme by the insurgents.

Villar said he has his “friends” in the party, referring to NP senatorial candidates Reps. Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza of Bayan Muna and Gabriela, respectively.

Both Bayan Muna and Gabriela have been associated with the communist movement but are legal entities and recognized as legitimate party-list groups.

“I’m not paying anything and why should I pay when we have our friends here with us,” Villar said in Filipino.

“On my part, I know they (NPA) believe that we have the same objectives when it comes to helping the poor, so why should I pay?” he added.

Immediately after making this statement, Villar clarified that both Ocampo and Maza belong to organizations that are above ground and are part of the system of government.

“Let us make it clear that our allies are Bayan Muna and (Gabriela). We don’t have anyone with us who is violating the law,” Villar said in Filipino.

“The groups with us are those that are within our system of government and who are also fighting for the rights of the people, especially the poor,” he added.

Villar said the allegations that he is paying permit–to-campaign fees to the NPA are all part of the black propaganda being spread against him by his opponents.

“I don’t get bothered by this anymore. They are hoping that people will believe them and in effect take away my votes,” he said.

“But my good performance in the surveys only proves that people do not easily believe these things,” he added.

Ocampo jumps on Villar slip, denies link to NPA

By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:23:00 03/11/2010

Filed Under: Inquirer Politics, Eleksyon 2010, insurgency, Manny Villar, Joseph Estrada

MANILA, Philippines—Senatorial candidate Satur Ocampo, a party-list representative of the militant Bayan Muna, Wednesday denied having any “organizational links” with the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

Ocampo said he could not understand why Sen. Manuel Villar, the presidential candidate of the Nacionalista Party (NP) under which Ocampo is running as a “guest” candidate, had mentioned his name in relation to the “permit to campaign” issue.

“We categorically deny having organizational links with the NPA. We deny that we are among the parties paying the PTC (permit to campaign),” Ocampo said.

In denying military allegations that he was among the candidates paying the NPA to be “allowed” to campaign in NPA-controlled areas, Villar told reporters in Davao City the other day: “Why should I still pay when they are already with us, they are our friends.”

Villar explained that he was referring to Ocampo and Liza Maza of the militant Gabriela party-list group, who are both NP guest senatorial candidates.

Invoking Satur’s name

Ocampo said he wondered why Villar would “invoke [his] name” in relation to the permit to campaign issue.

“I don’t know what he meant. Maybe we can trace it from where I came from but he also made it clear that I am not part of the armed group,” Ocampo laughingly said.

Ocampo was a business journalist in the 1960s who became one of the founding members of the Kabataang Makabayan (KM) and later spokesperson of the National Democratic Front (NDF), the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Categorized as Left

He was one of the many activists who went underground after the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972. He was arrested in 1976 and detained for nine years.

A leftist leader declined to comment on Villar’s “slip-up,” while another activist noted that the politician with the rags-to-riches campaign line was simply “not an activist.”

While admitting that Bayan Muna was under the “general category of the Left,” Ocampo lamented that the military continued to accuse him of being a leader of the CPP.

“They [the military] say I am an officer and member of the CPP. Then I’ll pay them the PTC? They are themselves confused,” Ocampo said.

Deposed President Joseph Estrada Wednesday started his campaign in the reputed NPA stronghold of Bicol, and rejected the idea of paying the communist rebels.

Illegal

“That’s illegal per se. Are you recognizing them as a government? There’s only one government as far as I’m concerned,” Estrada told reporters.

“Even in 1998, when I was campaigning, I went to all the areas that are supposedly infested by the NPA. (I paid) not a single cent,” he said, referring to his first and successful presidential campaign in 1998.

Estrada will be campaigning through the provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Sorsogon until Friday.

He said he expects to win in the vote-rich region that has almost three million voters. With Norman Bordadora.

NPA Asked 2.2M for Permit to Campaign

From Catanduanes Tribune
Salamat Fernan sa dai ko pag paallam sa saimo. Pag abot ko na dian ang bayad.

Headline story:

NPA asked P2.2M from Congress bet
Laptop seized in clash
to yield rebels’ secrets

The Philippine Army expects the laptop, three USBs and compact discs seized in the Feb. 19 encounter in Maysuram, Caramoran to contain the secrets of the New People’s Army command in Catanduanes.

Lt. Col. Romeo Basco, commanding officer of the 83rd Infantry Battalion based in Lictin, San Andres, told the media last Friday that the computer equipment as well as subversive documents would contain the secrets of the Nerissa San Juan Command and that it would uncover the true face and character of the NPA in the island province.

“The recovered documents are being analyzed to extract the names of the personalities who provided extortion money to the bandit group,” Major Harold Cabunoc of the 9th Infantry Division told the Tribune in a separate report.

Also uncovered in the wake of the encounter was the alleged extortion attempt by the CPP-NPA-NDF against an aspiring lawmaker. “Based on the recovered documents taken from the combat pack of the dead rebel commander, I found out that the NPA bandits have demanded P2.2M from an aspiring Congressman as his PTC/PTW fees during this upcoming national and local elections,” Lt. Col. Basco said. He did not identify the candidate.

A comprehensive report that Basco submitted to Major General Ruperto Pabustan, commanding officer of the 9th Infantry Division, also revealed that the Nerissa San Juan Command was distributing color-coded Permit-to-CampaignPermit-to-Win (PTC/PTW) cards to politicians who are running for local posts in the island province.
According to Basco, based on the color-coding scheme, a blue PTC is for aspiring congressmen with a price tag of as high as P2 million. Yellow, green and red PTC cards for other elective positions were being sold for amounts ranging from P10,000.00 to P500,000.00depending on the position being sought. Around 500 PTC cards, most them signed by one Ka Apol and bearing serial numbers, were recovered during the Maysuram clash. An Army source told the Tribune that a notebook listing the cards and its politician-recipients, including those who have already paid for the cards, is in their possession and that about 200 PTCs have already been distributed by the NPA command.

The numbered PTC states that “the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) through the New People’s Army, allows the bearer to campaign within the PRG/NPA guerilla territories in accordance with the provisions stated at the back.”

The Army said the CPP-NPA-NDF’s rampant extortion activities targeting politicians this year was first documented after an encounter with the 49th Infantry Battalion in Bgy Ginangra, Magallanes, Sorsogon on January 10, 2010, which netted 7 high-powered firearms and voluminous documents stating the extortion demands on politicians who are running for local posts.

Meanwhile, one of the documents in the intelligence treasure trove taken from the Caramoran clash included a Jan. 22, 2010 letter to one “Ka Mando” from “STP/STR”, presumably a high-ranking CPP-NPA official.

The letter reminded the local NPA of the amount of the PTC decided upon by the “KTR” in August 2009. “Nais ko ring ipaalaala na dapat direktang sa pulitiko ang pakikipagsara ng usapan. Hindi dapat sa emissary o tagapamagitan lamang ang pag-uusap. Sa sona dapat ang usapan at hindi sa labas o siyudad. Ito ang mga patakaran na hindi puwedeng balewalain at dapat kilalanin ng pulitiko,” the letter stressed, adding that two NPA members should join the negotiations.

“Dapat diinan din ang matinding pakikipaggitgitan sa military upang mapahina ang lakas electoral natin sa mga sonang gerilya. Sa pamamagitan ng anti-milit at anti-pasistang kampanya ay dapat mabura ang pakikialam sa eleksyon ng AFP,” it added.

“Sa NP na pala ang alyansa natin para sa kandidatura pagkasenador,” the letter-writer informed, acknowledging the alliance forged by partylist Reps. Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza with the Nacionalista Party of Manny Villar. Ocampo and Maza visited Catanduanes last Feb. 3 to campaign with local NP leaders headed by Governor Joseph C. Cua and Araceli T. Wong.
“Nakapagpadala pala kayo ng lider masa ninyo sa Abaka sa Lakbayan ng Magsasaka ngayong Enero,” it said in closing, advising the local command to communicate via text messages as the courier system has yet to be reorganized by a certain Ka Anton.

Lt. Col. Basco told the media that he sent the 83rd IB platoon led by one Lt. Lebelo to Maysuram after receiving intelligence reports on the rebel band’s presence as well as complaints from residents who said the NPA were pestering abaca farmers to give food or buy rice for them.
The team reportedly found the NPA camp along a mountain ridge at sitio Tacad, with the more or less 15 guerillas resting amidst six tents. However, as they were closing in, one of the perimeter guards heard one soldier slip on the steep slope and fired four times before being gunned down. The rest of the rebels, including Catanduanes NPA leader Daniel “Ka Niel/Tabs” Frias, scampered down the mountainside to escape the hail of bullets from the government troops.
“We cannot discount that there were other casualties during the 25-minute firefight who may have been dragged away by their comrades down the ravines,” Lt. Col. Basco said, adding that the guerillas escaped only with their guns and the clothes they were wearing. There were no casualties among the government troops.

The slain guerilla was identified as Ka Lito, vice commander of the Sentro de Gravidad (SDG) of the Nerissa San Juan Command and reportedly a resident of Naga City. One of the biographical data sheets personally written by the rebels for submission to higher officials matched that of Ka Lito, who may have been 54 when he died. A cellphone recovered in his possession allegedly contained a text message from his wife who was asking for money as she was confined in a hospital due to a serious ailment. The notebook containing lists of money expended by the NPA unit, including an entry that indicated it has P763,100 as of April 5, 2009, was also found in his backpack. His body was buried in Caramoran, although the PNP is awaiting his family to claim his remains.

Recovered from the NPA temporary camp were: an Elisco M-16 rifle with serial number 131319, Colt M653 rifle with serial number 488856, a Fujitsu laptop computer, three USBs, several CDs, two ICOM handheld radios, an ICOM battery charger, medical and dental equipment including medicines, 182 rounds of M-16 ammo, 34 rounds of AK-47 ammo, five bandoliers, 14 AA batteries, 10 combat backpacks, voluminous subversive documents, 10 reams of Fortune cigarettes, six tents and 10 hammocks.

Only two of the backpacks have been inventoried, with the rest still in Caramoran. The documents also included a sketch of the Globe cellsite at Batong Paluway, San Andres, which the Army said indicated that the NPA was preparing to bomb the communications facility. The notebook containing the list of money received and spent also showed that the NPA got P1.1 million during a period from 2008 to 2009, with a certain Ka Arman, reportedly a barangay chairman, as the one who handled the cash. The recovered backpacks likewise contained personal effects of the rebels, including photos of the family of NPA commander Frias.
During the presscon last Saturday, 901st Brigade Commander Col. Magno Salazar called on the NPA rebels to go down the mountains and surrender for the sake of their families and for the peace and progress of Catanduanes.

“We will do everything for the rebels to return to the fold of the government,” he said. He likewise appealed to the people to vote for leaders who can persuade the communist guerillas to join and help the people attain security.

On the other hand, Catanduanes PNP provincial director Senior Supt. Rodegelio Gerero said the encounter proves the continuous criminal activity of the CPP-NPA. He said he has already declared a heightened alert in all police stations and units upon learning of the encounter. As to the possibility that the wounded guerillas may be treated by private doctors, he said the police cannot do anything about it.

NPA rate for campaign: P250,000 for local bet

Philippine Daily Inquirer

March 11, 2010

LUCENA CITY, Philippines—Communist guerrillas have started demanding up to P250,000 from candidates to allow them to campaign in insurgency areas without being harassed.

One candidate for mayor, who refused to be identified for fear of retaliation, said he was approached by a rebel demanding P250,000 from him as permit to campaign payment.

The payment, the candidate said, would allow him and other candidates in his ticket to campaign in insurgency areas.

“We’re willing to pay but the demand is too big. We will negotiate for a lesser amount,” said the candidate.

“Last time, I only paid around P30,000 plus some canned goods, medicines and cell phone cards,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali, head of the military’s Southern Luzon Command based in Camp Nakar, appealed to candidates to reject rebel demands.

“These terrorists no longer enjoy the capability to frighten the people or the candidates,” Detabali said.

The Army said the number of guerrillas in Quezon has been reduced to 262 as of 1998.

Detabali said candidate could always request for security from the Army. “We can stop this extortion,” he said.

The campaign period for local elections starts on March 26.

But the candidate, who revealed he was approached by rebels, said some candidates have no choice.

“That’s an accepted norm in all elections here to avoid trouble,” he said.

On Tuesday, Rolando Hontiveros, a retired policeman and candidate for councilor, was killed in the crossfire between guerrillas and soldiers as he allegedly negotiated to obtain a permit to campaign with a certain Gilberto Esguerra, allegedly a New People’s Army collector.

Police said Esguerra fought it out with soldiers and was killed in a five-minute clash. Hontiveros and an unidentified companion were killed in the crossfire.

Col. Nestor Añonuevo, head of the 201st Infantry Battalion, said Hontiveros was not an innocent bystander but was actually negotiating with Esguerra to obtain a permit to campaign.

The military said guerrillas generate as much as P5 billion from candidates every year. Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon.

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