THE Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office said several villages in four towns of the province have been identified as Election Watch List Areas (Ewas) in relation to the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls.
Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., provincial police director, said the hotspots are those in the upper barangays of Moises Padilla, Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, and Toboso.
He said he will soon reveal the names of these barangays that are located in the upper areas of the four towns.
“They are identified as Ewas because of the sightings of suspected rebels belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA) and other armed groups,” Castil said.
One of the reasons why Moises Padilla is under Ewas is the recent shooting in Isabela involving the NPA rebels, Castil said.
On April 9, Jose Joerito Amable, 50, of Moises Padilla town, a retired soldier and member of Civil Security Group of Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña; Alejandro Borres, 70, of Moises Padilla town, a retired policeman; and Federico Bitgue III, 29, of Isabela town, were attending a wake when unidentified assailants fired at them and escaped on board two motorcycles.
Castil said the rebels and other armed groups may take advantage of the situation, that is why it should be given priority during the elections.
In Calatrava, several armed groups were sighted in the upper barangays, Castil said.
He also said that specific names of the upper barangays will be discussed during their Consultative Dialog Monday, April 30, with Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon.
Comelec provincial supervisor Jessie Suarez said the Philippine National Police's (PNP) recommendation will be discussed during the Provincial Joint Security Control Center Meeting on May 2.
He said the poll body will approve the recommendation of the PNP as far as Ewas is concerned.
Meanwhile, Castil they have not yet received any names of barangay officials and candidates from the province who are on the drug list of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.