CEBU, Philippines - Police are considering some barangays in the cities of Bogo and Carcar and in the town San Fernando as among areas of concern in relation to the barangay elections based on the past election-related incidents.
However, the police are not disclosing the exact number and name of the barangays since they are subject for validation.
Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) director, Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac, clarified that these areas have intense political rivalries.
“Working progress pa ang mga areas of concern ang mga na-mention initial lang that’s why I cannot give yet what barangays,†Gillamac said.
Cebu province has six component cities and 44 municipalities.
The Provincial Intelligence Branch together and the police station chiefs have been collecting the lists of those running in the barangay elections for profiling.
“The intelligence information from the police station and the PIB serves as one way of determining the areas of concern then we can come up with the final list,†Gillamac said.
One of the problems that are being monitored by the CPPO is the sudden increase in the number of voters in a particular area, which could mean there are politicians harboring voters from other places.
“Ma-determine ni siya by comparing the number of voters from the last national election and may be dunay mga politicians nga manghakot ug mga voters as far as Cebu City or another province,†Gillamac explained.
The police, military and the Commission on Elections are set to attend next week’s Regional Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council meeting, which will tackle election concerns.
Last week, the Comelec had started the gun ban in connection with the coming elections. — (FREEMAN)