10 municipalities, 4 cities in Cebu on poll watchlist

CEBU, Philippines - Ten towns and four cities in Cebu are included in the election watchlist of the Regional Intelligence Branch because of previous incidents of election-related violence.

These are the towns of Sogod, Barili, San Fernando, Daanbantayan, Tuburan, Sta. Fe, Ronda, Pinamungajan, Tabogon and Dumanjug and the cities of Bogo, Danao, Carcar and Lapu-Lapu.

These places in Cebu are among the 34 areas in Central Visayas that are in the watchlist of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

The cities of Bayawan, Guihulngan, Canlaon and Tanjay and the towns of Jimalalud, Bacong, La Libertad, Zamboanguita, Vallehermoso, Bindoy, Pamplona, Sibulan, Valencia, Siaton and Sta. Catalina in Negros Oriental are also in the list.

The city of Tagbilaran and the towns Trinidad and Carmen in Bohol and the town of Larena in Siquijor are also in the list.

Supt. Pablo Labra II, chief of the Regional Intelligence Branch, said that they are evaluating reports about the presence of communist movements in Negros Oriental.

During the Regional Intelligence Coordinating Center Workshop,  the AFP and the PNP also identified 10 private armed groups in Central Visayas,  which are now under close monitoring.

Of the ten, four are operating in Cebu Province and these are the Sumabong-Ancero Group, Omboy-Sanopao Group, Sigue Group and the Sidlak Group of Lapu-Lapu City.

There are three groups operating in Negros Oriental, the Tanasan-Libron Group, Dumag-ug Group, and Desperado Group.

There are two groups in Bohol, the Reyes Group and the Galve Group while one is in Siquijor, the Fuentevilla-Lozano Group.

Labra said they are monitoring the members of the identified groups as they might be utilized during the election period.

“Some of these groups are inactive but some will be activated during election time,” Labra said.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections will pull out all police escorts elected officials who are running in the election effective January 13 until the end of May 2013.

According to COMELEC-7 director Temie Lambino, only senatorial candidates are allowed to have PNP personnel as escorts.

 Those who are running for governor down to councilors can only have private protective agents accredited by the PNP as escorts.

Lambino said aspirants must also apply for a temporary security detail on Jan. 13 and only two escorts are allowed.

However, Lambino said that if they see a real threat on the life of the aspirant, they will allow additional escorts. — (FREEMAN)