Masbate, CamSur Top Bikol Election 'hot spots' List

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 15- The Bikol Region has 311 election "hot spots" that are under tight watch by the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, the Commission on Elections and the respective local government units, an army officer said Friday.

The Army's 9th Infantry Division spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said that based on records, the Bikol Region has 70 villages placed as Category 1 and 241 villages as Category 2 of the Comelec's tally of election watch list of areas (EWAS) or "hot spots."

"A Category 1 election 'hot spot' refers to areas where there are intense political rivalry and where armed groups supporting various politicians are present. Meanwhile, the presence or influence of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels in certain areas makes them (villages) as Category 2 election 'hot spots'," Cabunoc said.

Masbate tops the list with 69 villages placed under Category 1 and 103 villages as Category 2 "hot spots."

Towns in Masbate both threatened by political violence and armed insurgents are the localities of Aroroy, Baleno, Batuan, Balud, Cataingan, Cawayan, Claveria, Dimasalang, Esperanza, Milagros, Monreal, Palanas, Pio V. Corpus, Placer, San Jacinto, San Fernando, San Pascual and Uson.

 

The province of Camarines Sur ranked second on localities threatened by insurgents (Category 2), numbering 24 towns and 135 villages; while Albay province ranked third with 17 towns and 205 barangays where communist rebels are active.

Among the Camarines Sur were: Del Gallego, Lupi, Ragay, Sipocot, Libmanan, Pasacao, Pamplona, San Fernando, Minalabac, Calabanga, Ocampo, Garchitorena, Goa, Sangay, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, Bula, Nabua and Iriga City.

In Sorsogon, 61 villages has been identified as Category 2 "hot spots" with Gubat town having the most number with 13, followed by Sorsogon City with 10 villages.

During the PNP regional command conference presided by Bicol PNP director, Chief Supt. Cecilio Calleja Jr. and six police provincial directors at Camp Simeon Ola here last Oct. 13, Calleja stated that these areas were being recommended by the PNP to be under COMELEC Control during the Barangay and SK Elections this October 25.

In a memorandum sent to the Acting Director for Operations in Camp Crame, "hot spots" in the Bikol provinces were recommended to be placed under the poll body's control, Calleja revealed.

Army soldiers have intensified their area security patrols as part of their tasking by the Comelec in preparation for the upcoming local elections. Soldiers also support the manning of checkpoints which is primarily tasked to the PNP. (PNA/SONNY SALES)