QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded a total of 7,915 election hotspots in the country, four days ahead of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on May 14.
According to PNP PIO Chief PCsupt. John Bulalacao, as of May 10, there are 619 areas marked as “red” or the most critical among election hotspots; 4,972 marked as “orange” or those with high presence of armed groups and rebel groups; and 2,325 marked as “yellow” or areas that have history of violence.
The PNP assured that they have enough personnel to man the said election hotspots.
“In ARMM meron ng personnel doon (we have personnel) who have undergone training already in preparation of the possible withdrawal of some teachers in areas where there will be violent incidents that may be reported,” Bulalacao said.
Acting Director of the PNP Directorate for Operations PCSupt Ma O Aplasca, meanwhile, assured that they have activated local joint peace and order security councils that will monitor and recommend to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should there be a need to declare an area as among election hotspots based on the intensity of violence.
Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño once again warned candidates to refrain from committing election-related offenses.
“Kapag nakunan sila ng video at evidence, kapag napatunayan ang harassment at vote buying ay perpetual disqualification yan sa kanila,” Diño concluded.
(If there are videos of them and evidence that prove harassment and vote-buying, they will face perpetual disqualification.) – Lea Ylagan / Marje Pelayo | UNTV News & Rescue
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