Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Cebu’s 4th district considered in coming polls; 199 brys. in the region monitored
CEBU’s fourth district is one of those being considered as an election area of immediate concern (EAIC) in the Oct. 29 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 is monitoring 199 barangays in Central Visayas that may be classified as EAIC or election areas of concern (EAC).
But PRO 7 Director Ronald Roderos said yesterday that these are not yet final.
There are 53 barangays being considered as EAIC and 66 barangays being considered as EAC in the region.
In yesterday’s 888 News Forum at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Roderos and Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Carmelo Valmoria said their assessment of the situation in each barangay is a continuing process.
A final list of EAICs and EACs will be completed after the deadline for filing of certificates of candidacy on Oct. 18.
The PNP, Commission on Elections and the AFP will have a final conference before the elections to discuss the final security preparations.
Valmoria also said Cebu’s fourth district may be one of the areas classified as EAIC because of an ongoing election protest filed by Celestino Martinez III against Rep. Benhur Salimbangon.
He said they are closely monitoring areas where there were “close fights” in the May 14 elections.
There are also eight NPA-influenced barangays and 19 less influenced barangays in Cebu’s mid-north that are being considered as EAICs.
Valmoria believes that the local communist movement will have an active participation in the elections, possibly by fielding or supporting their own candidates.
“This election is a prelude to 2010. If they can ensure that their candidates win, they can be mobilized for the 2010 elections,” Valmoria explained.
Aside from the “red area” considered a New People’s Army stronghold, Valmoria said the local communist movement also has “white areas” in Cebu’s north and south areas that focus on “sectoral struggle.”
Valmoria still considers the local communist movement a “potent threat” to the upcoming elections.
This is why he will be asking the Philippine Army to augment his troops so that all barangays will have security personnel to protect the polling centers.
Cebu City Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador and Man-daue City Police Office Director Rodel Calungsud do not foresee major problems in their areas of jurisdiction for the elections.
Mandaue City has only 27 barangays while Cebu City has not had any history of election violence. (MEA)
