• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Regional Joint Security Coordinating Center is expected to validate the 55 barangays in Negros Occidental that were recommended by the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, during a meeting on September 21 in Iloilo, Provincial Commission on Elections supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria disclosed yesterday.
The recommendation to place the 55 barangays in the province on the election watchlist areas was based on reported sightings of armed rebels, Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, earlier said.
According to the Comelec, areas of election concern or election hotspots are places where there is potential violence or tension among local candidates, presence of armed rebels, and a history of election-related violence.
The RJSCC is composed of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Comelec.
Ananoria said they are waiting if the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office will also submit their own list.*