Security tightened in Negros poll hot spots

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The police and military have tightened security in areas in Negros Occidental identified as election areas of concern.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial director Roberto Salazar said 1,486 policemen would be deployed in 698 polling precincts in the province.

The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade will dispatch 1,800 of its personnel as augmentation force, particularly in remote areas.

Lt. Abegael Donasco, Negros Occidental police deputy spokesperson, said the areas identified as election watchlist areas have remained peaceful.

This city was placed under yellow category due to intense political rivalries while Himamaylan is under the orange category due to encounters between government security forces and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in March and last month.

Under the red category are Calatrava, Moises Padilla, Candoni and Escalante City due to serious armed threats and previous election-related violent incidents.

The cities of Kabankalan, Silay, Sipalay and Victorias as well as the municipalities of Binalbagan, Cauayan, Manapla, Hinobaan, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana and Toboso are under the orange category due to threats posed by communist insurgents.

Sporadic encounters between Army soldiers and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were reported early this week in Barangay Gatuslao in Candoni.

A 16-year-old NPA guerrilla was killed while a soldier was wounded in the clash.

Encounters between government troopers and rebel groups were also reported in Himamaylan, Cauayan and Isabela.

Salazar said military and police officials gave assurance that the clashes were isolated and that government forces are on top of the situation.

In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 6,347 police personnel will be deployed for poll duties.

Regional police director Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona said 706 personnel of the Reaction Standby Support Force and 405 from the Quick Reactionary Force would be deployed to Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, where certain areas were placed under the Comelec control.

In Nueva Ecija, 232 soldiers, 32 police Special Action Force commandos, 32 Regional Mobile Force Battalion personnel and 280 from police training schools will serve as augmentation forces.

Two policemen will be deployed in each polling precinct while one quick reaction team will be established in each town and city.

An advance command post will also be put up in the four districts in the province. – John Unson, Ramon Efren Lazaro