• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has identified 17 areas of concern in Western Visayas, in line with the May 12 elections.
Based on Comelec data, there is one area in Region 6 that falls under the red category, due to serious or grave threats.
Nine are under the orange category (with serious threats), and seven under yellow (with a history of election related incidents), and 116 are green (no security concerns).
The Negros Island Region, which is composed of the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, is not included the Comelec report of the country’s regions assessment.
It is presumed that Negros Occidental is still included in Western Visayas region in the report.
Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria earlier disclosed that Negros Occidental is under the green category.
Ananoria also said that the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center of Negros Occidental, which is composed of the Comelec, Philippine Army, National Police, and Coast Guard, will be activated on January 11, a day before the start of the election period.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will impose a nationwide gun ban starting Jan. 12.
Law enforcers will conduct checkpoint operations in strategic locations as part of efforts to secure the polls, according to PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo.
Fajardo said as a general rule, only bona fide police, military, and members of government law enforcement agencies in complete uniform and on official duty are allowed to bear firearms for the entire duration of the election period.
Exemptions from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) imposed firearms prohibition may be secured from the Committee on Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns.
“For those not included in the executive list of exemptions, if they wish to bring firearms outside of their respective residences and places of business, they have to apply for a certificate of authority from Comelec so that they can be exempted,” Fajardo said.*
