BACOLOD CITY — Majority of the hinterland villages in Negros Occidental province have been put under intensified monitoring for the coming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections due to the reported presence of armed groups.
This was reported by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) during its Provincial Coordinating Conference with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines held at the Provincial Social Hall here Wednesday.
Provincial Elections Supervisor Jessie Suarez said these barangays, which he did not identify, could be considered under Code Orange, which indicates the presence of armed groups, such as secessionist groups and private armed groups, and needs increased police and military visibility operations.
The new Comelec classification identifies an area as under Code Green if it has no problem and no cause for concern; Yellow — fair share of political unrest; Orange — presence of armed groups; and Red — deemed as critical areas.
Suarez said most of these villages are located near the border of both Negros provinces, but the Comelec is still validating the information and recommendations of the police and the army.
Negros Occidental has 601 barangays.
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Police reported that during the 2010 and 2016 elections, four villages were classified under Category 1 (areas of concern); 84 under Category 2 (immediate areas of concern); and seven under Category 3 (areas of grave concern).
During the Provincial Coordinating Conference, Suarez was joined by Senior Supt. Rodolfo Castil Jr., Negros Occidental Police director; Col. Eliezer Losañes, commander of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade; and Supt. Victorino Romanillos, Bacolod Police deputy director for administration.
In Bacolod, City Elections Registrar Mavil Majarucon-Sia said on Wednesday they have not identified any area of concern here but noted that potential hot spots will be verified.
On Monday, about 1,150 candidates, including 800 for the barangay and 350 for the SK elections, signed a peace covenant during the candidates’ forum led by the Comelec and the Bacolod City Police. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
