BSKE: PNP eyes 4,344 areas of concern

MANILA, Philippines — Police are eyeing 4,344 areas of concern during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) to be held on Oct. 30.

Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria said 27 are being considered areas of grave concern or under red category. He did not identify the specific areas.

As in previous polls, areas of grave concern are placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) due to possible violence and intense political rivalry.

Dubria said 232 areas may be classified under the orange category or areas of immediate concern. Up to 4,085 are under the yellow category or areas of concern.

Orange areas have recorded presence of armed rebel groups.

Yellow areas have reported election-related incidents in the past two elections aside from the possible presence of armed groups and intense political rivalries.

Up to 37,683 are areas without concern or under the green category.

Duria said the figures were based on previous elections. He said the list would be submitted to the Comelec for approval.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda said police officers who may have relatives running in the BSKE are being identified to ensure that they will not become partisan.

Police officers with relatives running during elections are reassigned to other areas to prevent them from influencing the outcome of the polls.

Acorda expressed confidence that peace and security can be maintained during the BSKE, except in areas that need special attention.

Meanwhile, the Comelec assured voters in areas affected by recent typhoons that they can participate in the BSKE.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said alternate polling precincts had been identified in areas where schools were damaged or are still being used as evacuation centers.

Garcia said voters who remain in evacuation centers would not be required to present identification cards.

He said everyone can participate in the elections as long as their names are on the list of registered voters.