With the election campaign period just around the corner, state authorities have warned poll candidates not to give in to the demands for ‘campaign fees’ from the New People’s Army (NPA) or else face rebellion charges.

The Philippine Army’s Third Infantry Division (3ID) and the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) the warning, saying that such fees could lead to legal trouble for candidates, including charges of conspiracy to commit rebellion.

“Candidates who financially support rebels could be seen as directly aiding their cause,” 3ID spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines pointed out in a public statement.

Despite the neutralization of several rebel leaders, Javines cautioned against complacency, stating that the NPA would still try to survive by extorting money from politicians.

“We are closely monitoring areas where the NPA remain active. Our active presence will make it more difficult for them to collect so-called revolutionary fees from local bets,” the army official noted.

“We’ve stepped up monitoring in NPA hotspots, and we’re not letting them get a free pass this election season,” he added.

On the other hand, PRO-6 director Brigadier General Jack Wanky reiterated the need for strong cooperation between the police and military to thwart any rebel extortion activities.

“Providing funds to the enemy is direct support to their cause and (this) constitutes conspiracy,” Wanky stressed even as he disclosed that the police are boosting its surveillance operations in order to prevent candidates from being entrapped by the NPA in its extortion activities.

Wanky also reminded officials that backing rebel groups financially is not only illegal but also violates the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials which could be a cause for cases filed against them before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“It’s not just a bad decision, it’s a legal nightmare for anyone holding public office,” the police director concluded.