• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Commission on Elections is not downplaying the capability of New People’s Army remnants in Negros to come up with activities during the May 12 polls, amid the assurance of the Philippine Army that the rebel group no longer poses a threat to the elections.
“We should not be caught flat footed,” Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria disclosed on Monday.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) earlier ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), to enforce a set of policies for politicians entering what it claims are “revolutionary areas.”
In a statement, the CPP said “candidates and their supporters will be allowed to conduct their election campaigns in accordance with established guidelines.”
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3ID commander, who supervises internal security operations in Western and Central Visayas, said the neutralization of top NPA leaders and the group’s defeat in a series of armed encounters has made the rebels powerless to influence voters in the region.
While they have not yet monitored any activities of NPA demanding campaign fees from candidates who may enter the “Red Zones,” Ananoria said they are anticipating it during the campaign period.
The campaign period for national candidates will kick off February 11, while for local candidates, it will start Feb. 28. It will end on May 10 for all candidates.
Ananoria also said that as of this time, they have not received any reports of private armed groups who have the intention to disrupt the electoral process in Negros Occidental.
The Comelec Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC) has identified municipalities of San Enrique, Isabela Calatrava, and Cauayan, along with Sipalay City as areas of concerns during the May 12 elections, amid the declaration of local authorities that Negros Occidental is under “green category,” or having no election security concerns.
“Perhaps they have their own qualifications or may have a different report. We will conduct a re-assessment of the report,” Ananoria said.
The Regional Joint Security Coordinating Center of Negros Island Region is scheduled to hold another meeting within the next two weeks.
As of now, we will be taking that into consideration as a guide for further policy making, he added.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that in his opinion “only Calatrava may be a concern, not because of political rivalry, but the presence of rebel remnants.”
“Isabela and San Enrique is considered to be a close battle, but these two LGUs have managed to have a peaceful election,” Lacson said.
In the case of Sipalay City, Lacson said “it is as peaceful as it can be.”*