Comelec validating over 100 areas that PNP listed as 'red areas of concern'
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections is hoping to complete this week its validation of what the task force for national and local elections classified as "red areas of concern", where there have been incidents of election-related violence.
In a briefing on Thursday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said 105 municipalities and 15 cities across the country have been tagged as red areas of concern.
"As far as I know, hindi pa completed ‘yung validation natin (we have yet to complete our validation)… but right now, we are undergoing validation and we hope that within the week or within what’s left of the week, we will be able to release the final list of areas under concern," Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.
Comelec said it received the list of all areas that might need more security or attention due to the environment brought by the upcoming May polls from the Philippine National Police last week.
"We respect the findings of the PNP and we believe that there is basis for their findings, it’s just that we have to cross-check with our people on the ground regarding the situation, also to decide what the appropriate response of the commission will be," Jimenez said.
Areas may be tagged as green for those generally considered peaceful, yellow for areas with previous election-related incidents. Orange areas have had previous election-related incidents and face threats by armed groups, and red for those with a history of violence.
Those classified as red may be put under COMELEC control. However, Jimenez said the commission plans to use a “light hand” on the listed areas to avoid disrupting local communities.
Meanwhile, Police Gen. Dionardo Carlos, PNP chief, said they have already established additional Regional Special Operations Task Groups for some election areas of concern, including Samar and Masbate.
“We are checking if the additional RSOTGs are established to supervise and make sure there are available security forces to maintain the peace and order and to avoid intense political rivalries,” Carlos said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Carlos said that the PNP is continuously coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and on-ground Comelec personnel to ensure coverage from the regional, provincial, to the city-municipal level. — Kaycee Valmonte
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