More CV barangays possible hotspots

CEBU, Philippines - The number of barangays that are identified for possible inclusion in the election watchlist of areas in Central Visayas has risen to 44, said Regional Intelligence Division-7 chief Pablo Labra II.

Five of the barangays, in Lapu-Lapu City, Bohol, and Siquijor, are placed under Category 2 or election areas of immediate concern, Labra revealed.

Barangay Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City, for one, is placed under Category 2 owing to a previous election-related incident during the 2010 barangay elections, he said.

In Bohol, the barangays were identified as Yanawa in the town of Bilar; Cawag in Buenavista; and Cuaming in Inabanga while in Siquijor it was Barangay Canlambo in Larena.

The rest of the 39 barangays are placed under Category 1 or election area of concern either because of rebels in the area or indication of intense political rivalry there.

Rebels reportedly have a presence in some barangays in Negros Oriental Province namely Trinidad, Hinakpan, Tacpao, Banwague, Sandayao, Binobohan, Humayhumay, Planas, Buenavista, Calupaan, Imelda, Villegas, Platagasanon, Linantuyan, Luz, and Magsaysay, all in Guihulngan City.

The same goes for barangays Bonawon, Apoloy, Mantiquil, and Tayak in Siaton town; barangays Talalak, Nagbinlod, Milagrosa, Nagbalaye, San Pedro and Fatima in Santa Catalina and Barangay Dobdob in Valencia.

There is also an indication of intense political rivalry in Barangay Sto. Niño in Tanjay City.

In Cebu, the Comelec sees the same situation in Barangay Cayang in Bogo City; barangays Pitalo, Panadtaran, Bugho and Tongo in San Fernando; barangays Poblacion and Sima in Dumanjug; barangays Sumon and Candabong in Tuburan; and barangays Cantuabon and Caduangon in Tabuelan.

Labra said the list increased from 29 barangays during last Thursday's Regional Joint Security Coordinating Council meeting with Comelec.

The RID-7 chief said the number of barangays may yet increase until the last day of the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy on Oct. 17.

Security in the said barangays will be then prioritized, he said.

"Regional Director Danilo Constantino gave instructions na since October 20, naa na'y mga ipang-deploy sa maong barangays," Labra said.

The police official said they will conduct more meetings with Comelec 7 and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure the security of the barangay elections on Oct. 28.

Comelec-7 chairman Temie Lambino, nevertheless, assured that they can secure the elections despite their limited manpower as this will just be a rehash of the last May 13, 2013 elections. —/BRP (FREEMAN)