NPA starts collecting PTC fees

QUEZON—New People’s Army rebels in the province have started sending letters to local candidates to collect so-called “permit to campaign” (PTC) fees in exchange for unmolested campaign activities inside areas that the rebels consider as strongholds.

One mayor, who requested he not be identified for security reasons, said he has received a letter from the NPA inviting him to a meeting about PTC fees.

The mayor said the letter, though, did not specify how much the NPA is demanding. Col. Generoso Bolina, spokesperson of the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), appealed to candidates not to pay the PTC fees.

The Communist Party of the Philippines, however, denied in a statement that guerrillas are collecting PTC fees. Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon