PNP eyes finalizing election ‘red’ areas by end of September

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is aiming to finalize its recommendations for election areas of concern for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) by the end of September.

“Ang target po ng PNP by the end of September ay ma-finalize na po itong listahan na ito [The PNP targets to finalist this list by the end of September],” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo told reporters on Monday.

As of September 20, the PNP is considering 246 barangays to be included as election areas of concern under the red category, which will be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Most of these barangays are in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, and Bicol, according to Fajardo.

A total of 1,248 barangays are considered for the orange category, while 1,100 for the yellow category.

Areas under the yellow category have reported suspected election-related incidents in the last two polls and have intense partisan political rivalry and candidates possibly employing partisan armed groups. These areas may also be previously declared under the Comelec control.

Orange areas exhibit two or more factors under the yellow category or a serious armed threat posed by local terrorist groups and other threat groups.

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.

According to the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard have their own monitoring on possible election areas of concern.

Their lists will be consolidated and will be forwarded to the Comelec for approval.

The BSKE 2023 is set to be held on October 30. — BM, GMA Integrated News