6 areas around Cebu could be 'hot spots'

CEBU, Philippines - Six places in Cebu have been recommended to be declared as election hotspots, but the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that such are still subject for validation so names of these specific areas could not be divulged yet.

Regional Election Director Ray Rene Buac said that they could not make announcements of initial assessments without verification as they need to consider possible impact of this to the province, which was named as the country’s top tourist destination last year.

He explained that if the police or the Comelec would announce that these areas are susceptible to political violence, tourist arrivals in these particular areas might decrease affecting the economy.

He added that also we are holding the Sinulog celebration this week and those planning to visit some other parts of Cebu after Sinulog may change their itinerary.

Buac said that the Comelec and the Philippine National Police will assess an area recommended to be named as a hot spot based on different categories.

Category 1 is a guideline for areas reported to have election-related violence in the past and history of intense political rivalry.

Category 2 is for areas with the presence of threat groups like in Negros Oriental specifically in Guihulngan, Siaton, Zamboanguita, Sta. Catalina and La Libertad.

An area can be recommended for hot spot under Category 3 if it has a private army, which so far is not applicable here in the province.

Areas are categorized for the purpose of strategic security planning and proper deployment of troops and other resources of the PNP and other government security agencies.

Once an area is named an election hot spot, tightened security will be implemented through deployment of more police and extra security personnel to ensure honest, peaceful and credible election, police officials said.

The list or number of areas recommended to be named as hot spots may still change depending on the continued monitoring of the intelligence units of the police and military, Buac said. — Jessica Ann Pareja/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)