14 villages in Capiz are election ‘areas of immediate concern’

By Felipe V Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Western Visayas and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday last week confirmed that 14 barangays in Capiz are identified as “areas of immediate concern” in the upcoming  2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Police Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Afuyog Jr., Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) director, identified the villages as barangays San Martin and Duran in Dumalag; Cala-agus in Mambusao; Yating, San Silvestre, and Tabun-acan in Pilar; Pinamalatican in Sigma; Acuña, Lahug, Nayawan, Tacayan, Buri, Siya and Aglinab, in Tapaz.

These areas were placed under “orange category” due to threats from the New People’s Army (NPA).

Meanwhile, the city Comelec officer in Roxas City said that a candidate running for punong barangay has been the recipient of a show cause order for alleged premature campaign.

Atty. Rommel Benliro said the candidate, whom he refused to name, was accused of premature campaigning by posting on social media his name and picture that he is running for punong barangay.

He said the Comelec legal department has given him three days to answer the show cause order.

“Despite our constant reminders to the candidates, there are still some that are hard-headed and continue to violate this,” he stressed.