MONTHS ahead of the national elections in May 2010, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is making early security preparations by identifying areas where police units should put more attention.

PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa has ordered for a review and revalidation of the list of Election Areas of Concern (EACs) to guide the PNP high command in making strategic decisions.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

“This will serve as a reference or point of consideration in operational planning such as deployment of security forces, structuring of local PNP units, and availability of resources,” said Verzosa.

“Our overall assessment of the prevailing situation in all Election Areas of Concern will be subject to continuous validation and review,” he added.

According to PNP spokesman Leonardo Espina, the PNP chief himself will conduct inspection of some areas that will fall under the category EACs.

Factors and conditions being considered by the PNP in categorizing election areas include: 1) history of election-related violent incidents (Ervi) in past elections; 2) existence of intense political rivalry between contending parties; 3) possible employment of partisan armed groups by candidates in the area; 4) presence of domestic threat groups.

Espina said the PNP will also consider proliferation of loose firearms as among factors for consideration in the review of EACs.

Based on the prevailing peace and order situation, the PNP may recommend certain areas to be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 

During the 2007 elections, nine provinces were listed by the PNP as EACs, three of these provinces were eventually placed under the Comelec control. (VR/Sunnex)