8 Iloilo Towns Tagged as Election Areas of Concern

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Eight areas in the province of Iloilo will be closely monitored by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Army ahead of the May 12 national and local elections.

Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, said all 42 municipalities and the lone component city in the province are under general monitoring.

He confirmed, however, that special deployment will be made in eight towns identified as having elevated election-related risks.

“We have special deployments in areas affected by the presence of armed groups and those with intense political rivalry,” Razalan said in a press conference.

He added that Quick Reaction Teams will be dispatched to these areas to swiftly respond to any untoward incidents before or during election day.

COMELEC Iloilo Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Reinier Layson said the names of the eight towns have not yet been released, pending official approval from the COMELEC central office through Chairman George Garcia.

Layson explained that the towns were identified during a series of Provincial Joint Security Control Center meetings, where criteria for classifying election areas of concern were thoroughly evaluated.

The list was jointly agreed upon by the COMELEC, PNP, and Armed Forces of the Philippines, and was forwarded to the Regional Joint Security Control Center for endorsement to the national level.

“Three of these towns were classified due to intense political rivalries, while the remaining five were tagged due to serious threats from armed groups and ongoing insurgency,” Layson said.

Authorities assured the public that proactive measures are in place to secure the elections and maintain peace and order throughout Iloilo.