PNP names 8 Rizal towns as ‘areas of concern’

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified seven towns and the lone city of Antipolo in Rizal province as potential areas of concern or hot spots in the coming polls.

Senior Superintendent Freddie Panen, Rizal PNP provincial director, identified the towns of Rodriguez, Tanay, San Mateo, Baras, Morong, Cainta, Binangonan and the City of Antipolo as potential election hot spots.

According to Panen, they are closely monitoring 23 barangays in the said towns and city as these are the areas where most probable cases of election violence might occur.

Of the 23 barangays, 10 are from the remote mountainous areas in the City of Antipolo, which the PNP has identified as NPA-infested.

To counter possible breakout of election- related violence in the coming polls, Panen said he requested augmentation forces from the 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.

However, local political analysts based in the province doubted the motive of the PNP in seeking military assistance, saying this ploy might be used to harass opposition candidates and their supporters.

Vote-rich Rizal has over a million registered voters and is known as an opposition bailiwick. – Non Alquitran