LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Twenty of 48 towns and cities in Pangasinan have been included in the watchlist for the May elections.
Senior Superintendent Edgar Alan Okubo, provicial police officer-in-charge, told members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in an executive session that he would provide them with the list of areas considered poll hotspots.
Okubo said he would also provide journalists copies of the list he furnished the provincial board members.
The officer was called to the session yesterday to report his plans and programs for the elections.
He said Pangasinan was among the provinces classified under category 1 in the election watchlist areas by the Philippine National Police.
Okubo said the classification was due to the intense political rivalry and presence of private armed groups (PAGs) in the province.
He said the provincial police had listed two PAGs and accounted for 22 criminal groups.