BSKE: 361 areas considered election hotspots

MANILA, Philippines — Over a hundred more areas nationwide were declared as “hotspots” a week away from the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) released Saturday night a list indicating a total of 361 areas under the “red category” as of Oct. 20.

Areas are classified as “red” if there are occurrences of suspected election-related incidents, security threats posed by terrorist groups or partisan armed groups employed by candidates or if the area has been declared under Comelec control.

Based on Comelec data, 119 barangays were added to the 242 barangays previously listed under the category.

Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns head commissioner Aimee Ferolino said that as elections draw near, an increase in the number of hotspots is expected.

Comelec also listed a total of 1,271 areas under the “orange” category and 1,199 areas under the “yellow” category.

Areas under the “green” category, on the other hand, dropped to 39,170.

“Green” areas are those with no security concerns or are relatively peaceful and orderly.

Only Negros Oriental was placed under Comelec control due to security-related concerns and the assassination of governor Roel Degamo on March 4.

Liboy, Albay might also be placed under Comelec control upon the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ recommendation following the recent deaths of two BSKE candidates.

“There is a recommendation to place the entire municipality — not just the village — under Comelec control due to the existence of private armed groups in the area,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said yesterday.

In the province of Albay, 48 barangays were declared “areas of concern” due to election-related violence and intense political rivalry, according to the Abra Police Provincial Office (APPO).

APPO information officer Capt. Ronaldo Eslabra said they are validating reports on social media that groups were intimidating residents and candidates.

Investigators have also found leads on the identity of the gunman who killed Catalino Turalba Sr. on Oct. 17, Eslabra added.

Turalba was a candidate for councilor in Barangay Palagio, Bucay, Abra. — Jun Elias