Comelec eyes Negros Oriental as poll hotspot

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The entire province of Negros Oriental is being eyed by the regional office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for inclusion in the list of areas considered as election hotspots.

Lionel Marco Castillano, chief of the Comelec office in Negros Island Region (NIR), said Negros Oriental might be included in the poll watchlist for having been placed under the control of the poll body in the past elections.

The purpose of the classification, Castillano said, would enable the Comelec to draft an effective security plan, particularly in deploying security forces in areas where these are needed the most.

Pryde Henry Teves filed his certificate of candidacy for governor of Negros Oriental under the Liberal Party last week.

His brother, expelled congressman Arnolfo Teves, is wanted for the assassination of then governor Roel Degamo and nine other people last year.

Pryde served as governor for three months before he was ousted following a Comelec ruling declaring Degamo as the rightful winner in the 2022 general elections.

Several months later, Degamo was assassinated at his home in Pamplona town.

During the 2023 barangay elections, Negros Oriental was placed under Comelec control although no poll-related violence was reported during the election period.

Castillano has asked the governors of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor to push for the creation of the NIR police to ensure coordination among law enforcement units and the Comelec during the 2025 elections.

Although the NIR has already been established, the Negros Occidental and Bacolod City police forces remain under the operational control of the Western Visayas police, while the Siquijor police is under the jurisdiction of the Central Visayas police.

Castillano said it would be difficult for the Comelec to manage the 2025 midterm elections if there is no regional joint security control center.