349 gov’t execs who paid NPA fees on DILG watchlist

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is keeping an eye on 349 government officials found to have paid extortion money and permit-to-campaign fees to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA)  in previous elections.

In a statement on Thursday, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año cited a watchlist which includes 11 provincial governors, five vice governors, 10 provincial board members, 55 mayors, 21 vice mayors, 41 councilors, 126 barangay captains, 50 barangay councilors and eight other barangay officials.—JAYMEE T. GAMIL