Metro safest place come May — PNP

In a bid to keep Metro Manila incident-free during the election period, police are gathering evidence against candidates with private armies or loose firearms, and have vowed to take necessary action against the offenders.

Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director Romeo Peña said he directed all police intelligence unit heads to forward to his office all findings not later than this week so necessary measures can be implemented to make the metropolis one of the "safest and most peaceful spots in the coming polls."

"We are completing at the moment a list of all election personalities," he said. "Right now, its still too early to determine hot spots and possible areas of concern."

Peña pointed out that districts being contested by candidates maintaining private armies or those with a history of intense political rivalry can be classified as "areas of concern."

The potential hot spot can be further upgraded as an "area of immediate concern" if it is established that a candidate there is being backed by communist rebels, separatist fighters or terrorist groups.

Based on interviews with police district directors in Metro Manila, only Mandaluyong and Marikina have been tagged as "areas of concern."

Chief Superintendent Simeon Dizon Jr., director of the Eastern Police District, said his men are closely monitoring the political developments in the two cities, and would downgrade or upgrade their classification once the campaign period starts on March 30.

In Marikina City, mayoral candidate Maridez Fernando of the Bayani Party is going up against Marikina Rep. Romeo Candazo of the ruling Lakas-NUCD for the post vacated by third-termer Bayani Fernando.

Police intelligence sources said they are keeping an eye on the candidates’ supporters, some of whom may have links to the communist movement.

In Mandaluyong City, the tandem of re-electionists Mayor Benhur Abalos and Vice Mayor Jessie Cruz will be squaring off with the ticket of former Vice Mayor Ernesto Domingo and actor Philip Salvador.

Intelligence sources noted that in the last elections, Domingo accused Abalos of massive fraud, a complaint that was eventually dismissed by the Commission of Elections.

Chief Superintendent Marlowe Pedregoza, director for the Northern Police District, said Caloocan City remained under control despite the expected showdown between the rival candidates under Mayor Rey Malonzo and Rep. Luis Asistio.

"There’s no indication that political protagonists in northern Metro Manila will resort to violence and cheating in the elections," Pedregoza said.