By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(January 9, 2025) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday identified 403 areas of concern in the upcoming elections, underscoring its vow to preserve peace and order amid the country’s tense political climate.
Comelec chairperson George Garcia reminded that these areas are classified into four categories: Red, orange, yellow, and green. Red indicates a high-risk area prone to violence. This year, 38 locations are in the said classification, mostly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
BARMM will hold its inaugural parliamentary elections.
“Sana huwag niyo isipin na malagay ang inyong lugar sa under Comelec control sapagkat hindi niyo gugustuhin ‘yun (dahil) it will make the lives of our people there in the area at least a little difficult, at ayaw natin ng ganun,” said Garcia in a media conference.
He furthered that the initial list could change once the election period begins on Sunday.
“Sa lahat ng mananakot at gagawa ng krimen at karahasan sa (mga) botante, Comelec official, at electoral board member, we will make your lives difficult,” warned Garcia, noting the 12 suspected incidents of election-related violence in 2024.
The Comelec also said the National Election Monitoring Action Center will be reopened to monitor the voting and ballot counting in red areas.
During the 2022 elections, the poll body placed nearly 30 areas under its control due to security threats. It was marred by around 1,000 vote-buying cases, which international election watchdog Asian Network for Free Elections deemed as its “biggest flaw.”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police also vowed to intensify security measures, especially in BARMM, through the gun ban and checkpoint operations.
“We will assist the Comelec in ensuring the safe transport of election materials and protection of election personnel,” said AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
The midterm elections and BARMM parliamentary elections are scheduled for May 12.
(With reports from Currie Cator, News5)
(PM)
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