PNP identifies 43 Western Visayas election hotspots

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Police have identified 43 towns and cities in Western Visayas as election areas of concern.

Lt. Col. Joem Malong, regional police spokesman, said Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental as well as Lemery, Calinog and Maasin in Iloilo are under category red.

Moises Padilla was recently added to the list after New People’s Army rebels killed Sangguniang Bayan member Jolomar Hilario.

Category red are areas where there are a history of violent incidents, intense political rivalry and armed threats posed by local terrorist groups.

Under category orange or areas of immediate concern are Culasi, Hamtic, Sebaste, Sibalom, Valderama and San Remigio in Antique; Tapaz, Maayon and Cuartero in Capiz; San Joaquin, Miag-ao, Tubungan, Igbaras, Alimodian, Janiuay, Lambunao, Leon and Bingawan in Iloilo, and Toboso, Himamaylan, Isabela, Hinobaan and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental.

New Lucena, Sara, San Dionisio and Estancia in Iloilo, and Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, Escalante, EB Magalona, Silay City, Cagayan, Binalbagan, Hinigaran, La Castellana, Candoni, Ilog and Sipalag City in Negros Occidental are under category yellow or areas of concern.

The Commission on Elections regional office had earlier said Mambusao in Capiz, Victorias City in Negros Occidental and Bingawan in Iloilo should be removed from the poll watchlist.

However, police said removing Mambusao and Bingawan would contradict their risk and threat assessment.