Tagged ‘people’s enemies,’ execs get Army assurance

TACLOBAN CITY—The military in Eastern Visayas will provide security to Northern Samar Gov. Paul Daza and his father, Rep. Raul Daza, who have been tagged as “enemies of the people” by the National Democratic Front (NDF).

“We will make sure that he (Gov. Daza) will be safe,” said Col. Roberto Capulong, chief operations officer of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City.

He, however, said the governor and his father have yet to request additional security.

The NDF in Eastern Visayas, through its spokesperson Fr. Rafael Salas, has accused the Dazas of plunder, corruption and political killings. The NDF also claimed that the Dazas are involved in illegal gambling and illegal drugs.

Father and son denied the allegations, saying these were the work of political opponents.

Raul is running for reelection as representative and son Paul is seeking a second term as governor.

Capulong said the NDF is retaliating against the Dazas because of their support for the counterinsurgency campaign in Northern Samar.

Following Capulong’s logic, since Gov. Daza is carrying out reforms in the province and building projects that benefit the people, the governor is an enemy of communist rebels because he is removing the reason for rebels to keep waging war.

Gov. Daza chairs the regional peace and order council and is offering rebels P10,000 each if they surrendered with their guns and P5,000 if they surrendered without their weapons. With a report from Rachel Arnaiz, Inquirer Visayas