PNP steps up recovery of loose firearms in 9 provinces

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified recovery operations for loose firearms in nine provinces that are considered as perennial election hot spots to prevent violence in the 2010 elections.

Director Eugene Martin of the PNP Directorate for Intelligence said the police would release the official list of election hot spots, areas where poll violence is expected, after the filing of certificates of candidacy in November.

“As of now, we are in the process of intensifying recovery of loose firearms in these nine provinces so they could not be included in the list of election hot spots in the coming elections,” said Martin.

Martin explained that an election hot spot is determined by the violent incidents that transpired in an area during the 2004 national elections.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said police units are monitoring the provinces of Masbate, Abra, Nueva Ecija, Samar, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Basilan, listed as traditional poll hot spots in the country.

Verzosa directed Martin to update the list of hot spots and submit it to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), including the actions that the PNP had taken and their recommendations.

The PNP chief stressed that the areas included in the updated list of election areas of concern will be subject to further monitoring by the PNP.

Martin explained that they cannot determine which area of the country would be declared as hot spots or even areas of immediate concern because “we don’t know as yet who are running for the elective posts in the provinces concerned.”

He said the PNP has forwarded the list of loose firearms in the nine provinces to the regional directors so they can act swiftly on the recovery and turn these over to government custody.

“We are also assessing past election-related incidents and the historical problems in the said provinces and determining how to improve the peace and order situation there in the coming 2010 elections,” he said.