Poll ‘hot spots’ down to 17

The number of election hot spots in Metro Manila has been reduced to 17 areas from a high of 31 barangays last month, police said yesterday.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Ricardo de Leon said the number was reduced when the NCRPO conducted a revalidation of Metro Manila’s 1,610 barangays after the campaign period for local elective posts kicked off last March 25.

De Leon attributed the reduction of Metro Manila’s hot spots to the peace covenants among local candidates initiated by the Pastoral Parish Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the police station commanders.

He lauded local candidates who signed the covenants for their humility and support for honest, orderly and peaceful May elections.

"These are persons who truly care for the welfare of their constituents and are true public servants," the NCRPO director pointed out.

Local candidates of Caloocan City, Marikina City and Manila were the first to forge a peace agreement among themselves. Other areas in Metro Manila will follow suit before the May elections.

The remaining hot spots were identified by De Leon as Del Pan, Parola and Barangays Don Bosco, Baseco and Balut in Manila; Barangay Maharlika and Lower Bicutan in Taguig; Barangays Malinta, Ugong and Canumay in Valenzuela City; and Barangays Payatas, Damayang Lagi, Tandang Sora, Batasan Hills, Tatalon, Balara and UP Campus in Quezon City.

During a coordinating conference with officials of the military and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last month, at least 31 areas were identified as hot spots with 15 of them tagged as areas of immediate concern or where violence is most likely to flare up.

De Leon and lawyer Esperanza Ladra, head of the Comelec-National Capital Region vowed to conduct a monthly assessment of Metro Manila hot spots prior to the holding of the May elections.

De Leon also reminded yesterday all police officials in the metropolis to remain apolitical and neutral during the campaign period while urging candidates to avoid exerting undue influence on NCRPO personnel.