41 Central Luzon towns on PNP poll watchlist

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – At least 41 towns and cities in Central Luzon are on the election watchlist of the police.

“There is heightened security preparation in these areas, such as the deployment of more personnel, intensified police operations, mobile patrol and additional checkpoints,” said Chief Superintendent Rudy Lacadin, Central Luzon police director.

Lacadin presented the watchlist during the first regional joint security coordinating center conference, which was attended by officials of the Commission on Elections, the Philippine National Police and the Army’s 7th Infantry Division on Monday.

The towns of Dingalan, Baler and Maria Aurora in Aurora; Dinalupihan and Limay in Bataan, and Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Jose del Monte, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Baliwag and Meycauayan in Bulacan are on the watchlist.

In Nueva Ecija, the towns of Bongabon, Cabanatuan, Jaen, Aliaga, Quezon, Licab, Zaragoza, San Leonardo, Muñoz, Pantabangan, Sto. Domingo, Gapan, Cabiao, Talavera, General Tinio, San Antonio and Talugtug were identified as “areas of concern.”

Arayat, Masantol and Mexico in Pampanga; Bamban, Paniqui, San Jose, Capas, San Manuel, Tarlac City and Mayantoc in Tarlac; and Botolan, Castillejos, and Masinloc in Zambales are also on the watchlist.

The Central Luzon police activated 199 checkpoints in the region at midnight on Sunday to implement the gun ban.

”Aside from apprehending violators, the checkpoints have also been effective in the anti-crime and gun control campaign of the police, particularly against syndicates, local insurgents and  holders of loose firearms,” Lacadin said. – With Ric Sapnu, Ramon Efren Lazaro