Central Luzon barangays, Negros towns on poll watchlist

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is monitoring 162 barangays in Central Luzon and four towns in Negros Occidental in connection with the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on May 14.

Nueva Ecija has the highest number of election watchlist areas with 102, followed by Bulacan with 27; Aurora, 19; Tarlac, nine, and Zambales, five, Chief Superintendent Amador Corpus, regional police director, said yesterday.

Corpus said barangays affected by communist insurgency would be given priority in the deployment of additional policemen.

He said they are validating the certificates of candidacy to determine the other areas to be included on the election watchlist.

PNP spokesman Superintendent John Bulalacao said violent incidents might occur in barangays where there is intense rivalry among candidates, presence of private armed groups and proliferation of loose firearms.           

Police said Toboso, Calatrava, Moises Padilla and Isabela towns in Negros Occidental are being monitored due to the reported presence of communist rebels.

New People’s Army (NPA) rebels admitted their involvement in the recent killing of a retired Army soldier and a police officer in Isabela and the gun attack that wounded a member of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team in Moises Padilla.

Communist insurgents were also tagged in killings in Toboso and Calatrava.

Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, Negros Occidental police chief, said they have realigned their forces to ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of the barangay and SK elections.

Castil said they are coordinating with the 303rd Infantry Brigade to secure hinterland areas  in the province.

He said personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 would serve as reinforcement during the elections.

At least 93 of 601 barangays in Negros Occidental, excluding Bacolod City, are infiltrated by NPA rebels, according to the military.

Twenty-six of these barangays are reportedly controlled by the rebels.

Capt. Eduardo Precioso of the 3rd Infantry Division said it is up to the Commission on Elections to determine the areas to be declared as election hotspots.

The Provincial Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council will meet next week to discuss security concerns related to the elections.