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| Southeast Asia |
| Soldiers killed in Philippine vote |
| 2010-04-13 |
| [Straits Times] THREE soldiers were killed as they tried to stop communist rebels extorting money from political candidates in the southern Philippines, a military chief said on Monday. The deaths were the latest incidents of violence related to the communist New People's Army (NPA) using the May 10 national elections to raise funds, said Major General Carlos Holganza, the local military commander. The soldiers were ambushed in the outskirts of the city of Davao on Sunday as they were patrolling for NPA members who were collecting money from political campaigners. 'This is part of our efforts to keep the election safe and secure. We have hit the main terror group which has been influencing the area,' said Maj-Gen Holganza. The military said last month the communists were set to rake in millions of dollars from extortion this year, thanks to protection money forked over by politicians running in the May elections. Candidates ranging from village councillor all the way up to the president are being asked to pay between 5,000 and 20 million pesos (S$155 and S$620000) or their campaigners will be attacked, the military warned. |
| Posted by:Fred |