• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Five areas of concerns have been identified by the Commission on Elections in Negros Occidental, for the May 12 elections.
The municipalities of Cauayan and Calatrava, as well as Sipalay City, were placed under the orange category, while Isabela and San Enrique are classified in the yellow category by the Comelec.
The Comelec on Thursday disclosed that seven areas in Western Visayas are under the yellow category (areas with a history of election-related incidents), nine orange (areas with serious armed threats), and one red (areas with serious armed threats and history of election-related incidents).
The Philippine National Police (PNP) employs a four-tier color-coded system to classify election concerns, namely the yellow category for areas with history of election related incidents, orange for areas with serious armed threats, red category for areas with serious armed threats and history of election-related incidents, and green category for areas without election related security concerns.
The remaining 27 LGUs in Negros Occidental were placed under the green category by the Comelec.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the declaration of areas of concern is made to guide the poll body, along with the security forces, in ironing out 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 Governor 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 January 12.
The PJSCC is composed of the Philippine Army and National Police, as well as Coast Guard, and headed by the Comelec.*
