A mayoralty candidate in southern Negros yesterday sought help from the military after receiving an extortion letter allegedly from the New People's Army.

Lt. Col. Norman Flores, 61st Infantry Battalion commander, said the mayoralty candidate whose identity he withheld for security reasons, showed them the extortion letter from the Southeast Negros Front Command of the Boy Gatmaitan Command, that demands that he meet their authorized representative within 15 days. Flores said the NPA rebels have stepped up their extortion activities in victimizing local candidates to sustain what they call the "people's protracted war" by taking advantage of the election period.

He said the letter signed by a certain Daniel Malaya contains specific warnings to the candidate about removing possible complications in his political plans.

Calling themselves as the People's Revolutionary Government, the letter states "The NPA is mandated to impose taxation as a policy of the PRG to sustain the financial and logistical requirements of the revolutionary movement".

Flores said the mayoralty candidate who received the letter, has no intention of paying campaign permit fees to rebels.

The 303rd Infantry Brigade and its line units are now coordinating and assisting local candidates in clearing the areas for them to campaign where insurgents reportedly are operating

Flores said the Philippine Army is also warning candidates against providing financial support to the NPA.*GPB

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