PNP places 27 areas in ‘red category’ ahead of 2023 BSKE

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has placed 27 areas of election concern in the "red" category for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

The PNP's classification places areas in one of four categories: green, yellow, orange, and red. 

Election areas in the green category are those with no security concerns or are relatively peaceful and orderly.

Areas in the yellow category have reported suspected election-related incidents in the last two polls but no participation of local terror groups. Intense partisan political rivalry is also noted in these areas, and the candidates' possible employment of partisan armed groups. These areas may also be previously declared under the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) control.

Areas in the orange category exhibit two or more factors under the yellow category, or a serious armed threat posed by local terrorist groups and other threat groups including the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Abu-Sayyaf Group (ASG).

The red category refers to areas with one or more factors described under the yellow category and serious armed threats posed by local terrorist groups.

PNP Directorate for Operations Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco said at least 4,085 areas are in the yellow category, while 232 are in the orange category.

Francisco declined to identify the 27 areas in the red category, but said a number are in Mindanao. He also said the PNP has yet to submit the finalized list for the election hotspots as they are still awaiting the findings of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Force of the Philippines.

The BSKE will be held nationwide on October 30. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News