• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The encounters between the New People’s Army (NPA) rebel remnants and Philippine Army soldiers in Toboso and Cadiz City, Negros Occidental would not affect the holding of May 12 elections in those areas, the region’s top Commission on Elections (Comelec) official said on Thursday (March 20).
Comelec-Negros Island Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano said the armed engagements with rebel remnants were government-initiated as a result of their intensified and focused military operations against the NPA.
Not a single candidate or voters have been affected by the two encounters, he added.
The March 18 encounter in Barangay General Luna, Toboso led to the injuries of three soldiers while two top leaders of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor died in the encounter last week in Barangay Caduhaan, Cadiz City.
In Negros Island Region, the Comelec listed Guihulngan City and La Libertad in Negros Oriental under the red category or those with serious threat of election-related violence.
During the Regional Joint Security Control Center meeting on March 19, there was no recommendation from the Philippine Army or the Philippine National Police to place Guihulngan City under the Comelec control.
Basay City in Negros Oriental was placed under the orange category while the remaining local government units (LGUs) are in yellow category.
Orange areas have the combination of election-related incidents in the two previous elections and threats from the NPA while those in yellow category have history of election-related violence.
Except for Candoni, which falls under the orange category, the remaining 31 LGUs in Negros Occidental are under the green category or areas with no security concerns.
The Comelec is banking on the activation of the NIR Police Regional Office to get more manpower to secure the May 12 elections.
Castillano said they need additional augmentation forces in Negros Oriental.
Once the regional police office is activated on March 27, he said they may tap the forces of the Bacolod City Police Office and regional mobile force battalion to secure the elections in NIR. | GB
