30 Samar execs paying ‘taxes’ to Reds, says military official

TACLOBAN CITY — About 30 local officials in Eastern Samar and in nine municipalities in Samar’s second district have been paying "revolutionary taxes" to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), a ranking military official said.

But Brig. Gen. Roberto Ver, commanding officer of the Army’s 801st Infantry Brigade based in Hinabangan, Samar, refused to identify the 30 local officials who he claimed have been directly giving support to the revolutionary movement.

"No, I cannot give their identities. Kinausap na kasi namin sila (We have talked to them), and they promised to give us their support. We are happy about this development," he told The STAR.

Despite the local officials’ assurances, Ver said they will continue to closely monitor if they are really keeping true to their commitment to support the government’s counter-insurgency program.

Ver said more than 20 Eastern Samar officials were found to be paying "revolutionary taxes" to the CPP-NPA based on documents seized during recent encounters.

He said some mayors and other local officials denounced the military for issuing what they claimed to be a sweeping statement, during the peace and order council meeting in Borongan, Eastern Samar last week.

But Ver said some local officials are themselves to be blamed for the continuing insurgency on Samar island.

"Sabi ko sa kanila (I told them) it’s not a sweeping statement, but we are doing this to let everybody know," he said.

The military has reportedly submitted an official report on the local officials concerned to the office of Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes.

"It is for the DILG officials to file (charges of) treason against these officials. Anyway, we have documents to support our claims," Ver said.