81 areas in CV in election ‘hot list’

CEBU, Philippines - The number of areas recommended to be under election watchlist in Central Visayas has increased from 34 to 81.

Based on the latest validation by the Regional Intelligence Division (RID), the political rivalry of Bohol between incumbent Gov. Edgar Chatto and Carmen Mayor Conchita Toribio-Delos Reyes decided them to include the province’s 47 towns and one city in the list.

Chatto and Delos Reyes are running against each other for governor in the May 2013 elections.

In Cebu Province, there are three component cities, 12 towns and one independent city under the election watchlist.

There are 11 in Negros Oriental and six in Siquijor.

Basis of the RID in putting an area under election watchlist include evaluation and assessment of past election experience, presence of Private Armed Groups and presence of communist groups.

However, Supt. Paul Labra II, RID chief, said so far, there is no place in Central Visayas that is recommended for Comelec control.

“Our recommendation of EWAS (election watchlist areas) will not only depend on that of the PNP but also of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” Labra said.

 Labra added that in Cebu Province, most of the towns in the watchlist are in the mid-north because of the political rivalry between incumbent congressman Benhur Salimbangon and former Bogo Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III.

Labra said they will hold series of conferences in the future with the military to continue their assessment.

The police plan to double presence of PNP in the areas included in the watchlist to preempt untoward incidents.

“Enough deployment of forces will be made and there are courses of action will be made,” Labra said.

The PNP is expected to initiate lectures or “pulong-pulong” among political candidates.

“We will ask for their commitment for a successful and peaceful elections in their place,” Labra said.

Comelec checkpoints are strictly implemented by the PNP as one way of preventing crimes.

The police also identified 12 inactive potential private armed groups in the region that authorities fear will be activated to serve unscrupulous politicians.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo Jr., PRO 7 director, said that police and military presence in the hot spot areas will be doubled and further reinforced depending on their assessment.  (FREEMAN)