At least 22 areas in Northern Mindanao have been classified as areas of concern in the 2025 midterm elections.

This means these areas have history of election-related violence in the past two elections.

Eight areas in Bukidnon were also categorized as areas of concern-orange category due to the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA).

“We have recorded armed encounters in the remote areas in Malaybalay and Cabanglasan so with Talakag that is why they were considered orange,” Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) Deputy Regional Director for Operations, Col. Martin Gamba, said.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) also said around 32 areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have been categorized as areas of concern-red category due to the violence recorded every election season.

These areas may be placed under COMELEC control to prevent possible election-related incidents.

COMELEC said the military and the police are prepared to serve as electoral board when needed.

The agency said, though, that there was no failure of election in the 2022 polls.

“Kahit noong 2022 national ang local elections, wala po tayong failure of elections at pananatilihin po natin yan at all cost,” COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia said.

The poll body also lauded the police for the measures put in place to ensure that the upcoming elections will be held peacefully.

“Kung sakali may nag commit ng isang incident ng violence may CCTV ma-aaksyonan agad ng COMELEC,” Garcia added.

Meanwhile, PRO-10 opened the Regional Election and Monitoring Center three days before the election period starts.