Comelec declares Zamboanga Peninsula a critical area

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Commission on Election has declared the entire Zamboanga Peninsula a critical area a week before election day.

Police Regional Office 9 will deploy 800 more officers across the region to augment security in the peninsula said Chief Superintendent Miguel Antonio Jr. during a joint press briefing Monday.

“All areas in Zamboanga Peninsula are considered critical area or areas under immediate concern because this is a national election and we don't want to be caught off hand [sic],” said Comelec 9 assistant election officer Florencio Saministrado.

He said the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay are now considered areas of special concern, citing previous violent incidents in some areas of Western Mindanao.

Antonio identified towns, including Tungawan and Payao in Zamboanga Sibugay; Sibuco, Sirawai, Siocon and Baliguian in Zamboanga del Norte; and Kumalarang Dinas, and Osme?a in Zamboanga del Sur, officially considered critical areas.

All police officers in the region have also signed an oath of non-partisanship.

Meanwhile, Antonio said the police command has recovered 348 assorted high-powered firearms and 2,286 assorted ammunition since January 10, when they began implementing the Comelec gun ban.

Antonio said at least 800 people, including 73 of the most wanted suspects, were arrested in the region since then.