Police to clamp down on leftist rebels' extortion activities

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine National Police (PNP) said today that it has intensified its intelligence and tactical operations to stop the extortion activities of the leftist rebel group New People's Army (NPA).

The PNP said it will coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to prevent leftist rebels from exacting money from candidates in the May 2013 mid-term elections especially in the countryside.

PNP director general Alan Purisima also urged candidates not to donate money to the NPA.

Purisima warned politicians that the act of donating any amount or item to leftist rebels is "tantamount to disloyalty punishable under the Revised Penal Code."

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has earlier accused the leftist rebels of charging candidates as high as P5 million (about $123,000) for permit to campaign as well as permit to win in areas where the rebels have strong influence.