NPA 'extortion' vs mining firms to be raised in govt-NDF talks

The government peace panel will raise the issue of “revolutionary tax" when talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) resume next year, a Palace spokesperson said Tuesday. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte made the statement after reports saying seven mining companies in Mindanao complained of extortion through the so-called revolutionary tax the Communist Party of the Philippines’ armed wing the New People’s Army imposed on them. Valte said the government panel that will negotiate with the National Democratic Front (NDF) – the CPP’s political arm – will raise the issue even during the informal talks in January because, she said, extortion by communist rebels could drive investors away. Last Monday, the military claimed seven mining firms operating in the Caraga region in Mindanao had complained of extortion by the NPA, which had vowed to step up attacks against miners for allegedly destroying the environment and exploiting workers. The military said the NPA was planning to increase its revolutionary tax from P15 million to as high as P25 million a month, which the mining firms cannot afford. "It's a peace and order issue, so we must find away to secure [our investors]. We can't let this happen to them," she told Palace reporters in Filipino. "We have to ensure that there is stability," she added. Pockets of armed clashes continue to mar the 18-day ceasefire both camps had declared in preparation for the resumption of informal peace talks in January and formal negotiations in February. The holiday truce began on December 16 and will end on January 3. Valte said the government peace panel, headed by Alex Padilla, will also talk to the concerned mining firms, which the military did not identify as requested. She said the military is also tightening security in the areas concerned, adding the government will not condone illegal acts. The NDF backed out of peace negotiations in 2004 to protest the refusal of the Philippine government under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to lobby the US and the European Union (EU) to remove the CPP-NPA from their international terrorist list. President Benigno Aquino III has vowed to pursue peace talks with communist rebels, saying the government is still determined to push through with negotiations despite recent armed encounters between NPA members and government forces. — LBG, GMANews.TV