Ex-Gov’t Exec, Now Red Leader, says PTC Goes to the People

As a former administrator of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Commission on Audit (COA), Simeon Naogsan witnessed how government officials unabashedly pocket or corner government funds for their personal use.  The systemic corruption in government was one of the major reasons why he defected to the New People’s Army (NPA) in 1986.  “I could not bear it,” he said. 

By BULATLAT.COM
Bulatlat.com

In a clandestine press conference somewhere in the Cordillera region, Ka Filiw said that while people’s funds are being used by government officials for their personal benefit, the permit-to-campaign  (PTC) fees collected from candidates by the revolutionary movement are used for the people’s welfare.  Speaking for the CPDF, Ka Filiw asserted that in the Cordilleras, the PTC money they collect is used for the improvement of the people’s lives and livelihood. Some of the funds are also utilized for the upkeep of the NPA. 

First time in the Mountain Province

According to its documents, the CPDF was established in the early 1980s to lead the fight for the right to self-determination of the Cordillera people.  The CPDF also says that it is working for the establishment of the People’s Revolutionary Autonomous Government. 

Ka Filiw averred that while it has been collecting PTC fees in most provinces in the Cordillera Region since its early years, this is the first time that the CPDF has been collecting PTC fees in the Mountain Province. 

According to Ka Filiw, the CPDF imposed a PNG or the persona-non-grata policy during the 2001 elections in lieu of the PTC. “We did not allow the entry of some of the candidates in our controlled areas and we were successful because they lost.  There were even areas where they got zero votes.  I think it had left an imprint on them that the revolutionary forces are not small fry,” said Ka Filiw.

Politics not money

Referring to the PTC policy, Ka Filiw said, “When we talk to them we do not emphasize too much on the cost. Our main concern is our political agenda. If there are agreements on this, we are willing to allow them to campaign even if they don’t pay.”  

Ka Filiw further explained that this erases the notion that the imposition of the PTC is only a means of extortion. 

As proof, Ka Filiw claimed that more than half of those running for public office in the Mountain Province have been given their permits to campaign without any money involved. 

“But we have certainly agreed on some political agenda,” he said. 

First on their political agenda is the candidates’ recognition that there is a shadow government existing in the Cordilleras.  “Before they go into our area, they have to secure a PTC.  That’s more than enough already,” he said. 

Specific programs on agrarian reform are also presented to the candidates.  “We present options for them to support these programs in case they win in the elections,” he said.

A sovereign right

Ka Filiw also reiterated that the right to impose a PTC and to collect fees is a sovereign right of any political force having control of a definite territory and pursuing a clear program of government. 

“They can call it ‘extortion’ or any derogatory terms but the fact remains that it is an exercise of our political right as a political force having a clear political agenda and political program,” he said. 

The revolutionary movement represented by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed component, the New People’s Army (NPA) has been exercising this right since its inception in the province in the early 1970s, Ka Filiw said. 

Where the proceeds go

Ka Filiw averred that the proceeds of the PTC go largely to socio-economic projects which the CPDF are implementing in its areas.  The fees are used as capital for small cooperatives, for infrastructure projects such as irrigation and foot bridges, political education activities, fora and issue discussions, medical trainings, health campaigns, and literacy programs. 

It is also used to sustain its armed force, the NPA.  “The people’s army needs food and clothing, soap and other personal effects, medicines and medical kits, and support for their families.  We need funds for their politico-military training as well as their health and literacy education. The people’s army also conducts medical and dental missions and we need funds for these,” said Ka Filiw. 

But Ka Filiw further explained that funds collected through the PTC constitute only a small part of the funds and other resources that are being accrued or collected to support all these different activities.  After all, elections happen only every three years.

According to Ka Filiw, the regular needs of the NPA are sourced through donations from the masses and their own efforts.  Food for the revolutionary fighters come from voluntary contributions from the masses as well as the NPA’s own production activities.  Arms and ammunition, on the other hand, are mainly sourced through tactical offensives against its armed enemies.  Bulatlat.com

Back to top

We want to know what you think of this article.