PNP monitoring 38 potential private armed groups ahead of 2023 BSKE

In light of the nearing October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), the Philippine National Police said Sunday it was monitoring 38 potential private armed groups (PAG) and one active PAG.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said that the number of potential PAGs being monitored by security forces as of September 29 had decreased from over 40 to 38.

“Based sa assessment ng ating security forces, ay nag-dormant na po. Ang iba dito, ay mga hindi na namo-monitor na gumagalaw dahil karamihan sa kanilang mga leader at miyembro ay nahuli natin,” she said.

(Based on the assessment of our security forces, some have become dormant. Some are no longer monitored being on the move as their leaders and members have been caught.)

Fajardo said the PNP had also initially monitored three active PAGs in Central Luzon, but two groups had surrendered to authorities.

“Isa na lang po ‘yung mino-monitor natin diyan at kagaya ng inireport ng regional director ng Region 3 ay daily ang ginagawa nilang monitoring dito to make sure na hindi ito makakagalaw,” she added.

(We are monitoring only one PAG there, and as reported by the Region 3 director, they are monitoring it daily to make sure that it cannot move.)

The PNP earlier announced it was considering including 246 barangays 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 Region.

A total of 1,248 barangays are in the orange category, while 1,100 are in the yellow category. — DVM, GMA Integrated News