• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Four towns and a component city in Negros Occidental have been identified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as “areas of concerns” for the May 12 national and local elections.
The municipalities of Cauayan and Calatrava as well as Sipalay City were placed under the orange category while Isabela and San Enrique towns were classified in yellow category.
Seven areas in Western Visayas are under the yellow category, nine in orange, and one in red.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) employs a four-tier color-coded system to classify election concerns, such as yellow category (areas with history of election-related incidents), orange category (areas with serious armed threats), red category (areas with serious armed threats and history of election-related incidents), and green category (areas without election related security concerns).
The remaining 27 local government units in Negros Occidental were placed by the Comelec under the green category.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the declaration of areas of concern is being made to guide the poll body, along with the security forces, in ironing out their preparations and security deployment before, during and after the elections.
During the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, Negros Oriental was placed under Comelec control, following the assassination of then Gov. Roel Degamo.
Comelec has activated the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Centers in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, following the start of the election period on Jan. 12.
The PJSCC is composed of the PNP, Philippine Army and Philippine Coast Guard, and headed by the Comelec. | GB
