Nocppo warns vs extortion

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here has warned politicians to never give in to the alleged extortion activities of the New People’s Army (NPA).

In a regular virtual press briefing on Tuesday, Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, public information officer of Nocppo, said they have yet to receive reports of rebels extorting politicians who want to campaign in their so-called strongholds as the local and national elections approach.

In case there will be such incident, Donasco encouraged politicians to report directly to the police chief in their areas, as she assured that their identities will remain anonymous.

“Huwag matakot even maliit or malaki man yan, as long as they’re doing extortion,” Donasco said.

Donasco said that those who will give in to the rebels may be held criminally liable.

Meanwhile, Donasco said they have not recorded any election-related incidents yet.

“We’re hoping na walang mangyari until the election day,” she added.

Donasco said the series of encounters in Himamaylan City does not mean that the city is not safe.

She said the recent encounters of the Army with the NPA were just isolated cases.

“It so happen na sunod-sunod lang,” she said, adding that there’s no peace and order threat in the city.

Donasco also said that 18 areas of concern for the elections remain and are under monitoring.