30 Northern Mindanao areas tagged as poll hotspots

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has identified 30 municipalities and cities in Northern Mindanao as election areas of concern for the coming May elections.

Aside from the Northern Mindanao areas, the province of Negros Oriental is likely to be categorized as an election area of concern for having a history of poll-related incidents and intense political rivalry.

Of the 30 areas in Northern Mindanao, eight – Malaybalay, Cabanglasan, Impasug-ong, Kibawe, Kitaotao, Malitbog, Quezon and Talakag in Bukidnon – were placed under the orange category.

The rest – Bacolod, Balo-i, Bonifacio, Calamba, Concepcion, Kapatagan, Kolambugan, Magsaysay, Maigo, Matungao, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Poona Piagapo, Salvador, Sapad, Sapang Dalaga, Tagoloan, Tangcal and Tubod as well as the cities of Ozamiz and Tangub – are under the yellow category.

According to the Philippine National Police, the yellow category refers to areas with a history of election-related incidents.

Orange indicates the existence of serious armed threats.

Areas under the red category have serious armed threats and are likely to be placed under Comelec control.

The green category consists of areas with no security concern related to elections.

In preparation for the May elections, the Northern Mindanao police yesterday activated its regional election monitoring action center at Camp Alagar in  Cagayan de Oro City as well as 98 other similar centers in the region to streamline monitoring activities and coordination of election security personnel. 

Brig. Gen. Jaysen de Guzman, Northern Mindanao police director, gave assurance that all personnel assigned in action centers are equipped and trained to address any contingency. 

Meanwhile, Lionel Marco Castillano, chief of the Comelec-Negros Island Region, yesterday said that Negros Oriental would not be included in the green category.

Castillano cited previous election-related incidents and intense political rivalries that occurred in the province, especially in 2023.

He said Negros Oriental may be placed under the yellow or orange category.

The province was placed under Comelec control during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October 2024.

The Comelec cited the assassination of former governor Roel Degamo at his home in Pamplona town in March 2023 as among the reasons for placing the province under its control.

The attack, which probers said was politically motivated, left nine others dead and 17 wounded.

The regional joint security coordinating center for the Negros Island Region will be activated today as the election period starts tomorrow.

Castillano said the neighboring province of Negros Occidental would remain under the green category as recommended by the provincial joint security coordinating center.

The Comelec said it has identified 17 areas of concern in Western Visayas for the coming May elections.

Based on the data of the poll body, one area in Western Visayas would be placed under the red category due to the presence of serious or grave threats. — Gilbert Bayoran