Legazpi City: The Bicol Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) has issued a warning to politicians and candidates in the upcoming elections, urging them not to comply with demands from rebel groups for a permit to win (PTW) and permit to campaign (PTC).

According to Philippines News Agency, Director Ramir Frades highlighted during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum at the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-Bicol (NICA-5) office that any candidate or politician who pays or supports rebel groups may be violating Republic Act (RA) 10168, the Anti-Terror Financing Act, and Section 12 of RA 11479, the Anti-Terrorism Act. Frades explained that such actions could lead to life imprisonment without parole, as they involve funding a designated terrorist group, namely the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Frades further stated that paying PTW or PTC fees to the CPP-NPA-NDF or their associated entities constitutes financing terrorism and providing material support to terrorists. He emphasized the role of former rebels, who have reintegrated into society, in revealing the extortion activities of these rebel groups. Frades noted, "They are credible witnesses who can testify that these activities are linked to the imposition of PTW, PTC and extortion. We can take legal action against organizations or individuals that support the illegal activities of the rebel groups."

Philippine Army-9th Infantry Division Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, Col. Luzvimindo Mamauag Jr., remarked that rebel groups exploit the election period to gather funds. He explained that they intimidate candidates by telling them they cannot campaign in certain areas unless they pay, suggesting that winning is impossible without their support.

Col. Mamauag urged candidates to resist these demands, referring to the rebel groups as a "dying organization" on the brink of collapse. He warned that succumbing to their demands would only allow them to purchase weapons and recruit young people. Mamauag added that, so far, no politicians have sought assistance or reported extortion activities in the region.