By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Two businessmen visited Police Station 4 (PS4) this week after they were allegedly extorted by individuals claiming to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA). PS4 commander, Police Major Reynante Jomocan, has requested the victims not be identified for their security.
According to the law enforcement official, the two visited the station after they received calls from individuals claiming to be NPA insurgents. According to the victims, the individuals said they will not harass their businesses if they give them P30,000.
However, Jomocan said it is possible those behind the phone calls may not be insurgents and only using the NPA name.
The police commander advised the two victims to block the phone numbers in order to avoid being victimized in the future.
The NPA has long been known to extort money in the form of a “revolutionary tax” from locals across Negros Occidental and have conducted attacks when locals refused.
Last August, NPA insurgents opened fire at a construction site in Bago City which was believed to be motivated by extortion./DGB, WDJ