SOME twenty-five (25) business firms in the Caraga region have responded to the call of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division and the provincial government of Agusan del Norte to stop giving money to the communist New People’s Army (NPA)’s alleged mode of extortion activities in northern Mindanao and the Caraga region.

“They (traders) were now oriented on the NPA’s resource generation scheme, through the use of intimidation and threat,” said army’s 4ID assistant chief of staff for civil-military operations Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad Saturday

Last year, over 236 million pesos were reportedly generated by the CTG nationwide from their extortion activities. This amount of money came from mining; construction and politicians among others. 

“The extortion activities of the communist rebels in northern Mindanao and Caraga Region from 2019 alone were estimated to be more than 118 million pesos, according to Trinidad.

“This amount of money is more than enough to finance its terroristic activities in the area,” said Trinidad.

Trinidad said in today’s situation, the pandemic, the economy needs to be strengthened in this part of the country.

Trinidad said that the NPA even aims to drive away foreign investments as it considers these bad for the economy of the country under the communist ideology.

“This means that local and foreign businesses are targeted for frequent mafia-style extortions. This continued extortion has been an essential source of funds to sustain the NPA and its activities over the years,” said Trinidad.

On July 8, 2020, according to Trinidad, a meeting was held in Butuan City led by Governor Dale B Corvera of Agusan del Norte with 4ID commander Andres Centino and 402nd Brigade, Brigadier General Maurito L Licudine.

All of them agreed as they urged different construction firms and services in the province to stop supporting the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). 

 “Everyone must understand that it is a ‘Whole of a Nation Approach,’ we must get involved and help end this problem,” said Agusan del Norte governor Dale B. Corvera.

Corvera said for a long time, the people think insurgency was the concern of the AFP and PNP only. Now it’s time for a change.

“There can be no development without peace,” said Corvera. 

Corvera as head of the Regional Development Council said that he will elevate the issue to the Regional Task Force ELCAC to intensify the effort to break the extortion scheme of the CNTs. 

He encouraged the business owners and contractors to commit and pledge not to support the communist terrorist group and not to give in to their demands though they may experience threat and danger along the way.

4ID commander Maj. Gen. Centino said the military has a list of those who have given in to the extortion demands of the communists. He urged these establishments and politicians to cease supporting the rebels.

He said the rebels are “still thriving despite the AFP’s notable success over the years because their extortion scheme was not stopped.”

Centino appealed to the group to help and support the government in its effort in addressing the resource generation scheme of the CTG. 

Centino also said their effort will be focused on identifying those individuals and institutions that are providing and supporting this group to end this more than five-decade-long insurgency problem. 

“We have the list of these supporters and we are urging them to stop what they are doing” Centino warned.

402nd Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Maurito L Licudine, in his message during the activity, underscored the security package the AFP can provide to contractors and other business institutions. 

We mean business to end the insurgency here in Caraga Region. Let’s stop giving to this terrorist! It is time that Caraganons will be free from the bondage of fear that the CNTs had implanted into communities,” according to Licudine.

“Everyone must be part of this initiative. Let us make strong advocacy and together end this insurgency” said Licudine. (Ben Balce)