BUTUAN CITY , Philippines – Three other municipalities in the province of Surigao del Norte, the towns of Sison, Malimono and Claver were added to the list of election hot spots in Caraga Region under Category 2 or NPA rebel-influenced areas.
Earlier, a total of 38 municipalities and cities in five provinces of Caraga were declared as election hot spots by the Joint Security Control Center based on six factors laid down by the joint PNP, AFP and Comelec body.
The six factors in assessing hot spot areas according to the JSCC were: Presence of armed groups or communist insurgents, history of previous rivalries among local politicians, local culture, geographical situation, mountainous areas, winnability of contending parties and the presence of law enforcers, troops or Commission on Elections.
The JSCC also confirmed the presence of private armies or partisan armed groups allegedly maintained by some political dynasties, groups or individual, moneyed politicians in the region. – Ben Serrano