The New People’s Army announced on 7 January a set of guidelines for politicians who wish to campaign for votes in the upcoming May 2022 national elections, in order to “ensure the safety and well-being of the masses.”

JB Regalado, Spokesperson of the NPA Central Negros Command in central Philippines, said that politicians should consult with units of the NPA or Communist Party of the Philippines in the area where they wish to campaign for the people’s votes. Regalado stressed that politicians should “strictly avoid vote buying, bribery, intimidation and other forms of electioneering” and they should not be accompanied by armed units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police or any paramilitary group when entering the guerrilla zones and bases.

 “Red political power through the People’s Democratic Government is established in the countryside,” Regalado declared. “Disrespecting the authority of the people by not heeding the aforementioned” will be subject to sanctions against the offending politicians, “such as disarming, disallowing of further campaigning in the area and confiscation of bribe money.”

The NPA advised, “Instead of vote buying, politicians are encouraged to contribute to revolutionary organizations, augment livelihood projects and other needs of the masses,” especially those severely affected by the most recent super typhoon Odette.

Regalado also reminded the politicians of their history of violence against each other. Particularly in central Negros, “several cases of cold-blooded killings of politicians and their supporters have occurred in the past election campaign periods.” The NPA, he said, “will continue to pursue revolutionary justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations due to the intense political rivalry in central Negros.”