NPA asks for 6% levy on infra projects in N. Cotabato

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - The New People’s Army (NPA) is imposing a “6-percent levy” on budgets earmarked for each infrastructure project being implemented by contractors in hinterland towns in North Cotabato and its capital, Kidapawan City.

Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista on Friday told reporters he has been receiving persistent feedback that the NPA has been forcing contractors to shell out at least 6 percent of the total budget for each project as “protection money.”

A group of NPAs on Sunday burned some P20 million worth of road-building equipment of the Jargon Construction Company in Barangay Mua-an in Kidapawan City after its owner rejected monetary demands by rebels.

The construction firm is involved in costly road projects straddling through farming enclaves in Kidapawan City.

It was the NPA’s second arson attack on the firm’s equipment depot in the past four months.

Evangelista said the road projects being implemented by the beleaguered contractor will continue, but under tighter security.

The NPA has reportedly been is asking for P11 million worth of protection money from the project contractor.

Army intelligence sources said the NPA has also threatened to harass other construction firms engaged in infrastructure projects in highland towns in North Cotabato if demands are not met.

Lt. Col. Nilo Vinluan, commanding officer of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion, said rebels have collected no less than P100 million worth of revolutionary taxes from local traders, politicians, construction companies and operators of public conveyances in the past 24 months.

The 5th IB has jurisdiction over Kidapawan City and North Cotabato’s nearby Makilala, Magpet, Arakan and President Roxas towns.

Vinluan said giving in to the extortion demands of the NPA will only embolden the group to escalate its illegal activity, meant to sustain its operation in the province.