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Nation

17 Negros, Panay areas tagged as poll hotspots

Gilbert Bayoran - The Philippine Star

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Four towns and a city in Negros Occidental as well as 12 local government units (LGUs) in Panay have been identified as areas of concern for the May 12 elections, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The municipalities of Cauayan and Calatrava as well as Sipalay City in Negros Occidental were placed under the orange category, while Isabela and San Enrique under the yellow category.

The Comelec said 27 LGUs in Negros Occidental are under the green category.

Meanwhile in Panay, six and five areas were placed under the orange and yellow categories, respectively, and one under the red category.

The town of Calinog in Iloilo province was placed under the red category due to serious armed threats and for having a history of election-related concerns.

The municipal governments of Tobias Fornier in Antique and President Roxas in Capiz as well as Ajuy, Lemery and San Dionisio in Iloilo were placed under the yellow category.

The towns of Tapaz in Capiz, and Badiangan, Janiuay, Leon, Maasin and San Joaquin in Iloilo are under the orange category.

The Philippine National Police adopted the color-coding scheme to classify areas with security concerns for the coming elections.

The yellow category pertains to areas with a history of election-related incidents.

Areas with serious armed threats are classified under the orange category.

Those with serious armed threats and history of election-related incidents are placed under the red category.

Areas under the green category have no election-related security concern.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the declaration of poll areas of concern intends to guide the poll body and the state security forces in drafting security plans for the May elections.

During the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in 2023, Negros Oriental was placed under Comelec control due to the assassination of then governor Roel Degamo.

A day before the election period started on Jan. 12, the Comelec activated the provincial joint security coordinating centers in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

The poll body said the elections in Negros provinces would push despite threats posed by Kanlaon Volcano.

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

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