PNP identifies 30 poll hot spots in Calabarzon

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Thirty areas in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) have been identified as election areas of concern by the regional police.

Of the 142 cities and municipalities in the region, 23 were placed under the yellow category, seven in the orange and 112 under the green category, according to Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra, Calabarzon police director.

Five cities and 18 municipalities in the region were included in the yellow category.

These cities include three in Cavite and one each in Batangas and Laguna.

Among the municipalities classified as areas of concern are 11 in Batangas, three in Cavite, two in Quezon province and one each in Laguna and Rizal.

Of the seven municipalities included in the orange category, two are in Cavite, four in Quezon and one in Rizal.

“Although we have not received threats from any criminal, terrorist and private armed groups and individuals, we are conducting intensified Comelec checkpoints across the region in compliance with Resolution 10741 of the Commission on Elections,” Yarra said.

Batangas police director Col. Glicerio Cansilao said Balayan, Calaca, Calatagan, Lemery, Lian, Nasugbu, Taal and Tuy were among those placed under the yellow category.

Infanta and Mulanay, both in Quezon province were among municipalities placed under the yellow category, according to Quezon police director Col. Joel Villanueva

In Laguna, Biñan was placed under the yellow category, provincial police director Col. Cecilio Ison said.

Yarra said the Philippine National Police adopted the color-coding scheme in identifying poll hot spots for the May 9 elections. These are green, yellow, orange and red categories.

Category green refers to areas that do not have security concerns and are generally peaceful and orderly.

Category yellow or “areas of concern” have a history of election-related violence in the last two elections and intense political rivalry. These areas were previously placed under Comelec control.

Category orange or “areas of immediate concern” include towns or cities that face serious armed threats from rebel and terrorist groups as well as other lawless elements.

Category red or “areas of grave concern” are those that have the combined factors of the yellow and orange categories and may require being placed under Comelec control.