Election hot spots identified in Negros

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines  – The provincial office of the Philippine National Police has identified 13 towns and cities as possible election hot spots in Negros Occidental.

To be subjected to continuous validation by PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are the cities of Escalante, Himamaylan, Sagay, Silay, Sipalay, Victorias, Cadiz and the municipalities of Pulupandan, Toboso, Candoni, EB Magalona, Isabela and Moises Padilla.

Senior Superintendent Manuel Felix said these areas fall under Category 2 due to the presence of the New People’s Army.

Areas under Category 2 face serious threats from the communist group and have a history of election-related incidents, intense political rivalries and high probability of the occurrence of election-related violence with participation of armed groups, he said.

Felix said he will initiate the signing of peace covenants with candidates in areas with intense political rivalries while members of the 6th Regional Mobile Group and various units of the Provincial Mobile Group, as well as the Philippine Army will be tapped as augmentation forces for deployment. – Antonieta Lopez