Communist rebels say they won’t run in village polls

LUCENA CITY—The communist underground movement has not fielded any candidate in the coming village elections, according to one of its spokespersons.

Macario “Ka Karyo” Liwanag, speaking for the New People’s Army (NPA) Antazon Aramil Command based in Rizal province, said the NPA was not taking part in the elections, much less fielding candidates.

“It (the NPA) is definitely not participating in this exercise and will not field any candidate in any barangay in Rizal province,” said Liwanag through e-mail.

Last month, Lieutenant General Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, head of the military’s Southern Luzon Command, claimed NPA rebels were setting the groundwork to control remote areas by fielding candidates for the barangay (village) elections. Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Inquirer S. Luzon