By BEN SERRANO Correspondent BUTUAN City––The military has warned that the New People’s Army (NPA) is planning to beef up its funds again by imposing “fees” on politicians who would be campaigning in outlying villages in Caraga and northern Mindanao. Fourth Infantry Division spokesman Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez said intelligence reports said the NPA was preparing to carry out its fundaising campaign through so-called “permits to campaign” and even “permits to win.” “In the 2010 and 2013 elections, the NPA rebels collected millions of pesos from candidates and political parties in Northern Mindanao and Caraga. Given the huge earnings, they will do it again, and reduce their armed struggle into pure banditry, and turn themselves in an extortion group to undermine the 2016 elections,” Martinez said. Camp Evangelista called on politicians not to give in. Martinez said what they should do is the moment they receive the “solicitation” or “extortion” letters is to go to the nearest police station or military camp to report it. Martinez said military intelligence sources show the insurgents were starting to draw up lists of candidates who would be running in the 2016 elections. “The candidates will be targeted for collection of PTC and PTW fees,” Martinez said. He said rebels have started sending letters to politicians to tell them about the “fees.” Martinez said the rebels’ PTCs and PTWs would be illegal, in violations to Section 10, Paragraph c of Article 9 of the 1987 Constitution that states that candidate “shall be free from any forms of harassments and discrimination and shall be protected by the state always.” Martinez said politician who would give to the NPA could be charged with aiding enemies of the state who help in promoting “terroristic acts.” Meanwhile, Martinez said the military would soon identify election hotspots in Caraga and Northern Mindanao soon because of the NPA.