Three communist rebels nabbed while extorting Ilocos solon

Three communist rebels were arrested while extorting money from a lawmaker in the northern Philippines, the military said yesterday.

The rebels, two men and a woman, were apprehended on Saturday at the home of Rep. Grace Singson in Salcedo town in Ilocos Sur.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Voltaire Gazmin said an Army team was sent out to Salcedo to verify reports that communist guerrillas were extorting money from residents there.

Soldiers confiscated a motorcycle, a binocular, and a shoulder bag containing extortion letters from the three rebels, who were not identified.

The Army report said the two male guerrillas were detained by the Army's 17th Infantry Battalion for interrogation, while the female rebel was placed under custody of Singson at her request.

Communist rebels have been demanding "revolutionary taxes" from civilians, businessmen, commercial establishments, politicians and other local officials to raise funds for their activities.

In a known communist rebel stronghold in Quezon, officials estimate the guerrillas collect at least P30 million annually.

Communist rebels have been fighting for a Marxist state since the late 1960s.

They have intensified attacks and other activities since last May when peace talks aimed at ending one of Asia's longest running leftist insurgencies were terminated.