12 poll hot spots in Batangas  – PNP

BATANGAS, Philippines — Eleven towns and a city in this province have been identified as election areas of concern.

Batangas police director Col. Glicerio Cansilao said Nasugbu, Lian, Tuy, Balayan, Calatagan, Calaca, Lemery and Taal towns were among those placed under the yellow category.

Bauan, Laurel, Mataasnakahoy and Sto. Tomas City are the other areas under yellow category. 

Lt. Pauline Fernando, Batangas police public information officer, said these areas have a history of election-related incidents such as shootings, threats, conflict and intimidation involving candidates and their supporters.

Areas under the yellow category also have a record of intense political rivalry and were previously placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The Philippine National Police (PNP) adopted a color-coding scheme to identify poll hot spots.

Those under orange category or areas of immediate concern have a combination of two or more factors under yellow category aside from serious armed threat posed by rebel groups.

Under red category or areas of grave concern are those with a record of violent incidents, intense political rivalry and armed threats posed by local terrorist groups.

The Batangas police said it set up checkpoints across the province in line with Comelec Resolution 10741.

Police said 46 persons have been arrested for violation of the gun ban at these checkpoints since the start of the election period on Jan. 9.

Gun ban: 2,080 violators arrested

Meanwhile,  2,080 people have been arrested nationwide for violating the gun ban, the PNP reported yesterday.

The PNP said 1,999 of the violators are civilians, 38 security guards, 14 police personnel and nine soldiers. Twenty others were not identified.

Metro Manila topped the list of regions with the most number of violators caught at 756 followed by Calabarzon with 230; Central Visayas, 213; Central Luzon, 207, and Western Visayas, 116.

Police have confiscated 1,587 firearms, 662 bladed weapons, 83 explosives and 8,816 bullets.

The PNP said 1,953 law enforcement operations have so far been conducted.

The gun ban will remain in effect until the end of the election period on June 8.  – Emmanuel Tupas