Pubdate: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2004, The Manila Times Contact: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921 Author: Len Espinosa, Central Luzon Bureau Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) NPA NOW SELLING POT TO SURVIVE CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac-Dwind-ling mass base support and thinning financial resources has forced the communist New People's Army (NPA) to resort to the cultivation of marijuana to sustain their daily operations, a top military official said here Wednesday. Lt. Gen. Romeo B. Domin-guez, the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) chief, said the communists' turn to criminal activities was proven by the discovery of a marijuana plantation in NPA-controlled territory in Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur. Dominguez said combined military and police forces uprooted fully-grown marijuana plants in the mountainous regions of Barangay Pila East, Santa Lucia in Ilocos Sur last week. The operation was conducted by the 50th Infantry Battalion and the Santa Lucia PNP who acted on reports given by residents living near the area where the communist rebels are believed to be operating. Lt. Dominador Valerio, Lt. Pedro Quitoriano and Senior Insp. Fabiano Sudario led the government troops during the operation to destroy the plantation which had 41 fully-grown marijuana plants. Dominguez said the possibility that the NPA may be behind the cultivation of the marijuana plants could not be discounted, because previous encounters with government troops have diminished the rebels' resources. He issued orders for the military to continue scouring the area in the hopes of uprooting more marijuana plants.