440 villages in WV under poll watch list

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A total of 440 barangays in Western Visayas has been placed under the election watch list areas (EWAs) for the Oct. 28 barangay polls, according to the Police Regional Office-6 yesterday.

Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr., PRO-6 director, however said the number was not yet final. "It could increase. Patuloy pa rin kasi ang filing. Hindi pa rin natin alam ang pwedeng mag-arise as election nears," he said.

The 440 villages under the EWAs represented 11 percent of the 4.051 barangays in the region. They were put on the list because of intense political rivalry; presence or influence of the New People's Army (NPA); and history of political violence.

Of the number, 431 were categorized because they were earlier identified as rebel-affected areas, while the remaining nine have records of election-related violence during the 2010 barangay elections, said Cruz.

The nine barangays were Mataphao in New Washington town and Sigcay in Banga of Aklan province, Paningayan of Laua-an town in Antique, and Tabuc of Pontevdra in Capiz.

Some of  those in Iloilo province were Brgy. Agdarihan of San Dionisio town, Datagan of Calinog, Cabatangan and Lonoy of Lambunao and Tabuan of Estancia.

This week, final validation of barangays under EWAs will be conducted with representatives from the police, the Comelec and the military, said Cruz.

Cruz added that, from Sept. 28 to Oct. 13, a total of 58 persons, 55 of whom were civilians, were already arrested for violating the 45-day election period and the gun ban.

Police operatives were able to confiscate 29 low-powered firearms, 13 high-powered guns, 17 deadly weapons, two gun replicas, and an explosive, while seven firearms, six explosives and three deadly weapons were surrendered. — (FREEMAN)