MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed seven villages in Tulunan, North Cotabato under "tight watch" due to the strong presence of rebel groups.
Tulunan town police chief Ronnie Cordero said that the seven villages include Nabundasan, Tuburan, Banayal, Bacung, Bituan, Batang and Baynosa.
Cordero said that barangays Banayal, Batang, Bacung, Tuburan, and Nabundasan are "infested" by the New People's Army while the remaining two are "influenced" by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
He said that additional policemen will be deployed to the seven villages during the May elections.