Friday, January 19, 2007 Police see peaceful polls in Davao Region
THE Police Regional Office (PRO) in Davao Region is expecting a peaceful and orderly election come May despite the presence of several areas of concern here.
PRO-Southern Mindanao director Andres Caro said the presence of election areas of concern does not automatically mean a violent and chaotic election.
He also clarified that an "election area of concern" is not a hotspot area as perceived by some, but rather it is the "election immediate area of concern" that is considered a hotspot.
Certain barangays in 23 municipalities and one city within the region are considered to be "areas of concern" in the coming election.
Superintendent Belflor Causing, PRO-Southern Mindanao information officer, identified the municipalities and city as Bansalan, Digos, Don Marcelino, Hagonoy, Jose Abad Santos, Kiblawan, Magsaysay, Malalag, Malita, Matanao, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Maria and Sulop in Davao del Sur; Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella and Talaingod in Davao del Norte. Laak, Monkayo, New Bataan and Pantukan in Compostela Valley, and Banaybanay, Cateel and Lupon in Davao Oriental.
Causing clarified that not all of the barangays in the municipalities and city are considered election areas of concern.
There are three parameters being considered by the authorities in declaring an area as "election area of concern" or "election area of immediate concern."
These factors are degree of insurgent affectation, election-related violent incidents, and intense partisan political rivalry.
Presence of one or two of the parameters would make the area an "election area of concern."
Presence of all factors makes the area an "election area of immediate concern," which was previously known as "election hotspot."
Nationwide, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have initially identified 10 provinces as election areas of immediate concern.
A total of 11 provinces were also considered as election areas of concern.
In the city and municipal level, 21 were categorized as election areas of immediate concern with another 537 considered as election areas of concern. The bulk of these areas are found in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. (BOT)
