PNP begins monitoring election hot spots

Police have started checking so-called "election hot spots" nationwide to ensure peaceful and orderly elections on May 14.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon said the monitoring of election hotspots is part of the jobs of the reactivated National Task Force HOPE (Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Election).

Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr., PNP deputy chief for administration, said police commanders are expected to submit reports on hotspots in their areas of jurisdiction.

Areas are considered "hotspots" if they are infested with New People’s Army rebels and the presence of private armed groups has been detected, he added.

In the past, election-related violence was also considered in labeling some areas as "election hotspots," Razon said.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno has ordered police to ensure public safety and an orderly election process on May 14.

"As we look ahead to the year 2007, a most promising year for our Republic in so many ways… challenging and meaningful because in this election, our people are once again going to be able to express their differences," he said.

"We are responsible for the safety of our people, we are responsible for the safety of our community. Together we join hands in making sure that as our people enjoy the prosperity that economic sector gave them, we will give them the peace, and quiet and security that this prosperity will earn them."

Earlier, Razon said the PNP has in its list 93 private armed groups, whose movements are now being monitored by police to prevent them from killing individuals seeking elective positions on May 14.

Fifty-six private armed groups are based in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao while nine were monitored in Western Mindanao, nine in Central Luzon, two in Cagayan Valley, and five each in Southern Tagalog, Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas, he added.

Razon said the 56 private armed groups monitored in ARMM were scattered in different areas with 25 groups reportedly based in Sulu, 21 in Maguindanao, seven in Lanao and three in Tawi-Tawi.

"These private armed groups were believed to be in possession of loose firearms," he said. "We hope to neutralize these private armed groups and seize all the loose firearms."

In the Cordillera Autonomous Region — comprised of Abra, Benguet, Kalinga and Ifugao — and the Ilocos Region there were five private armed group, he added.

The PNP-Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) reported that there were a total of 406,686 loose firearms in the country based on last year’s records.

In the May 10, 2004 presidential elections, the PNP listed 531 cities and municipalities as potential election hotspots or election areas of immediate concern.

Under the law, the campaign period will start on Jan. 14, during which the Commission on Elections will also impose a total gun ban nationwide and the PNP will enforce it. — Cecille Suerte Felipe