THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Monday that mining operations, both legal and illegal, are sources of funds the New People’s Army (NPA).

Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, commander of the Mindanao-based Fourth Infantry Division, said the recent NPA raid on Agusan del Norte-based Philippine Alstron Mining Company (Alstron) was only a ploy to demand more protection money from the said firm.