Intense political rivalry is one of several factors that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) 6 has considered when classifying a place as an election “area of concern.”

COMELEC 6 disclosed that there are places in the region that might be placed under the list for potential intense political competition, but the list is not for release yet.

“Mayroon tayong tinitingnan na ini-expect natin na magiging close ang contest. Sa ngayon, I cannot mention but of course, yan ang sinasabi ko, lahat mino-monitor namin,” Atty. Dennis Ausan, COMELEC regional director, said.

As of posting time, COMELEC 6 is into the verification and validation processes on places deemed election “areas of concern” and that additional locations are possible.

“Tinitingnan natin how things are playing out habang papalapit ang campaign period. Baka ang tahimik ngayon maging mainit o ang close contest can lead to intense political rivalry, baka mag-simmer down,” Atty. Ausan said.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 has tightened monitoring on political aspirants who have the tendency to hire armed groups in the region, despite the absence of any report about private armed groups in Western Visayas.

“Kung may ma-monitor sila in case na mag-employ talaga (ng armed group), we could take proactive measures before nila ma-materialize ang kanilang plano,” according to Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, spokesperson of PRO 6.

Even in the fifth district of the Province of Iloilo where gunrunning activities were recorded and loose firearms were seized in 2024, the authorities have considered the area as relatively peaceful.