With less than two months before election day, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Region 1 has identified 13 areas in the region still classified under the "yellow category" due to past election-related incidents and possible presence of private armed groups.
According to COMELEC, the number has gone down from 19 to 13 areas.
The remaining locations under the yellow category include:
- Pangasinan: Aguilar, Binmaley, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, Sual, San Quintin, Urdaneta City, Dagupan City
- La Union: Agoo, Caba, Pugo
- Ilocos Norte: Solsona
- Ilocos Sur: San Vicente
Atty. Reddy Balarbar, the assistant regional election director, assured that the situation remains stable.
“Wala naman nang nakikitang intense political rivalry at wala ring presence ng armed group diyan na maaaring manggulo itong darating na halalan,” he said.
Meanwhile, six areas in Ilocos Nortewere removed from the list and downgraded to the green category, meaning they no longer pose security threats.
The areas include Currimao, Badoc, Laoag City, Pagudpud, Paoay, and Pasuquin.
COMELEC Region 1 expects Solsona to be delisted from the yellow category by the end of March, pending final approval.
“Actually, may recommendation na ang PJSCC (Provincial Joint Security Control Center) so, malamang ma-approve na rin ‘yan,” Balarbar said.
As the local campaign period begins on March 28, COMELEC-Dagupan City has been coordinating with the police and election candidates to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
“Patuloy ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa kanila na sila ay tumalima sa mga guidelines na ibinaba ng COMELEC,” Atty. Michael Franks Sarmiento, the city election officer, said.
