Comelec has yet to identify areas of concern

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has yet to come up with a list of “areas of concern” in the May elections.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez made the clarification following reports that Basilan has been declared a “highly contested area.”

In a virtual press conference, Jimenez said it is possible that the Comelec office in Basilan would recommend that the province be included in the areas of concern.

“I have been looking at this report and it seems to me that there was a provincial coordinating meeting that was recently held in Basilan,” he said.

Jimenez said the Comelec does not use the term highly contested but only areas of concern, areas of immediate concern or areas under Comelec control.

He said the classification is in reference to the security situation and not the political landscape.

Jimenez said a national security committee at the Comelec main office identifies areas of concern in coordination with the Philippine

National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines and local Comelec offices.

He said the areas to be placed under the control of the Comelec could have been discussed during the first security meeting of the

Comelec law department yesterday.

PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos had earlier said the PNP has started validating the areas identified as hot spots in the May elections.