No poll hotspots in Metro – NCRPO

MANILA, Philippines - There are no “areas of concern” in Metro Manila for the May 2013 elections, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Leonardo Espina said yesterday.

Espina made the assessment following a conference with police intelligence units’ chiefs and officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The military personnel were led by Col. Manuel Romero while the Comelec was represented by lawyer Jubil Surmieda.

“So far, we agreed that there is no areas of concern in the metropolis in the coming elections,” he said.

Espina said a city or municipality would be declared an “area of concern” if a violent incident occurred there in the last 2010 elections.

He said they are still determining if there are politicians in Metro Manila maintaining private armies.