AFP renews warning on Ilonggo traders vs Reds extortion
Hundreds of thousands in company losses in Negros Occidental are blamed anew to the local hierarchy of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA).
This, as three delivery trucks of an alcoholic beverage company were flagged down and burned Wednesday by armed dissidents believed to be members of the communist terrorists NPAs in the area.
As such, the warning to local traders of the Ilonggo business community issued by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) here - Iloilo may be next, the AFP warning went, reason why at all times caution must be observed particularly in towns with CPP-NPA-influenced communities.
"These communist terrorists will not stop with criminal activities out to employ economic sabotage.The burning of the three trucks in Escalante, Negros Occidental was yet a clear example of how these lawless elements consummate extortion," Captain Lowen Gil Marquez, commanding officer of the AFP's 3rd Civil Relations Group said.
The News Today (TNT) learned that in the months of April and May alone, three companies in Negros Occidental sought AFP protection following extortion attempts of the CPP-NPA.
Captain Marquez further disclosed that two more were added in the list with both companies based in Iloilo.
To date, Captain Marquez happily noted, no extortion attempts succeeded in these companies reason why he called on other victims to do the same – seek AFP help and expose the threats posed by the communist terrorists.
"We call on them to report so we and the other law enforcement agencies can be of help," he added.
Wednesday's burning incident occurred at Barcelona Port in Barangay Old Poblacion, Escalante City.The three delivery trucks were loaded undisclosed boxes of Tanduay whiskey and set on fire by unidentified armed men.The drivers were also threatened at gunpoint, authorities confirmed.