DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 30 (PIA) -- Members of the Negros Oriental Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council together with the rest of the business community the province pledged to uphold peace and development by denouncing the extortion activities committed by members of alleged terrorist group New People’s Army (NPA).
Provincial MSMED Council members and some businessmen on Tuesday signed a “Manifest of Commitment and Peace” to signify their commitment in promoting a peaceful business climate across the province and support in condemning acts of extortion allegedly made by NPA.
The signing of the manifest is one of the highlights of the Business Development Forum organized by the Legal Cooperation Cluster of the Negros Oriental Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NOTF ELCAC-LCC) together with the Provincial MSMED Council.
The event provided a venue for businessmen and the security sector represented by the Philippine Army troops based in the Negros Oriental to discuss the issue of extortion and other security concerns of the business sector.
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Regional Governor for Central Visayas Edward Du disclosed that the provincial office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed that there were incidents of extortion recently.
Du shared that one member of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) received an extortion letter, but the businessman did not give in to the demands of the group.
This resulted to the incident of equipment being burnt in Manjuyod town.
“It only shows that ang among members dili mosugot (It only shows that our members are adamant),” Du said.
However, he also pointed out that 80 percent of the extortion incidents are actually scams.
“It’s just the livelihood project of these people. Pangawarta ba (Scamming people for money),” Du added.
The PCCI regional governor advised fellow businessmen to avoid entertaining any letter, text message, call, or any form of communication related to extortion and immediately report to the authorities in case they receive similar threats.
He added that it will also be better if they take screenshots of the message or record the voice of the caller if they can, as it can serve as their evidence when reporting it to the authorities.
Meanwhile, Provincial Prosecutor Eugene Salon also underscored that under the Anti-Terrorism Law, anyone who provides material aid to an alleged terrorist group can be considered as principal to the commission of the crime of Anti-Terror Law.
“The one who provides the material aid can be prosecuted or considered also as principal to the commission of the crime of the Anti-Terror Law. In the process of prosecuting the person who gives material aid, while in the prosecution stage, the government, law enforcement can already initiate action against his bank account. He can also be subjected to search and seizure. His property can be forfeited or seized if he is found guilty of the crime and his finances will be frozen,” Salon said.
Salon noted that material aid is not only limited to cash but also in kind, as long as it provides support to an alleged terrorist group.
She acknowledged that individuals give in to the demands of extortionists due to fear, but it is up to the court to decide on the matter.
On the other hand, BGEN. Noel Baluyan, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, assured local businessmen of the Army’s commitment in providing a conducive environment to do business, free from the demands of terrorist groups.
“We will do our best to provide you that enabling environment so that you can do business with ease sans the legal demands of this terrorist group. With your full support and cooperation, we all can do it,” Baluyan told local businessmen during the forum. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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