3 Zambales towns declared areas of immediate concern

IBA, Zambales, Philippines — Three municipalities in this province have been declared as areas of immediate concern with the approach of the general elections.

Col. Fitz Macariola, Zambales police director, identified these areas as Botolan, San Felipe and San Marcelino.

Macariola cited an incident of rebel harassment that occurred in June 2017 for including Botolan among the areas of concern.

The ambush of former mayor Carolyn Fariñas in September 2017 was the reason for the inclusion of San Felipe under similar classification.

Fariñas is running for mayor in the May 9 elections.

An armed encounter that occurred in San Marcelino in August 2020 was the reason for including the town among the election areas of concern.