54 Central Visayas towns, cities on election watchlist

CEBU, Philippines — Fifty-four cities and towns in Central Visayas have been included in the election watchlist areas (EWAs) of the Police Regional Office.

Of the number, 24 are in Bohol, 20 in Cebu and 10 in Negros Oriental. No place in Siquijor tagged as poll hotspot.

In Negros Oriental, the list includes Guihulngan City, Canlaon City, Ayungon, Mabinay, Manjuyod, Santa Catalina, Bindoy, Siaton, La Libertad and San Jose.

Police Chief Inspector Dominick Poblete, chief regional tactical operations officer at PRO-7, however, opted not to divulge the other 44 areas.

The presence of armed group, intense political rivalry, and history of election-related violence were among the considerations in coming up with the list.

Based on PRO-7 data, Negros Oriental is classified under “orange and red” areas due to armed threats or presence of communist rebels and proliferation of firearms.

Poblete said towns and cities under the election watchlist will be given special concerns.

“These areas are under tight watch for poll-related violence,” he said during yesterday’s AGIO-PIA-7 Forum.

He said the region is expected to have peaceful elections as incidents are not that relatively high based on the latest assessment of the Commission on Elections-7, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Moreover, Colonel Noel Baluyan, commander of Task Force Cebu, said 5,828 police personnel will be deployed in 2,913 voting centers during the May 13 midterm elections. — Moira Beatrice A. Zamora, USC Intern KBQ (FREEMAN)