DILG to probe candidates with campaign materials in NPA-infested areas

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will investigate candidates whose campaign materials are distributed openly in areas held by the New People’s Army (NPA).

“The AFP and the PNP are now closely monitoring the sample ballots of these candidates. If their sample ballots are openly distributed in rebel-infested areas, that is a red flag,” DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said in a press briefing on Thursday.

Malaya said the distribution of sample ballots and campaign materials in Red-infested areas would raise questions, as the DILG has warned election candidates against paying permit-to-campaign fees or submitting to extortion activities of the NPA for the midterm polls.

“If their sample ballots contain the names of candidates endorsed by the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front), then that is another red flag,” he added.

But the campaign flyers, Malaya said, are “not evidence in itself.”

He said it “simply requires an investigation.”Asked if the campaign materials being distributed would “automatically prompt” an investigation, Malaya said “yes.”

According to Malaya, the DILG continues to receive reports that election candidates finance the communist rebels so they can safely campaign in NPA-held areas.

He noted, however, that the number has decreased as the DILG intensifies its warning against poll candidates supporting the communist movement.

He added that the DILG, together with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will continue to monitor the activities of the NPA in the last week of the campaign period. /ee

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