THE Cagayan de Oro City Government is questioning the inclusion of the city among the 18 "election hotspots" in the country.
Cagayan de Oro was classified under Category 3, which groups areas that have had incidents of election-related violence involving officials vying for elective posts.
The election-related violence which the police considered are those incidents that took place during the filing of certificates of candidacy in October 2018.
But City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said they were shocked to learn that for the first time, the city was placed under the election watchlist apparently without the recommendation of the local police.
"We learned that our city police director did not recommend, and even the Commission of Elections (Comelec) here did not also know," he said.
"They need to review this, what is the basis? We don't have threats of insurgency, we don't have history of political violence. Here, politicians only talk, trade barbs, but we don't resort to violence," he added.
Sabuga-a said he is worried that this tag might affect the city that they are trying to project as a "business-friendly city", especially now that businesses are renewing their business permits.
Sabuga-a said he hopes that there is no political agenda behind this, and called on the public, particularly the business community to stay calm.
"It's not good for the city, it should be reviewed," he said.
The city is the only area in Northern Mindanao to be placed under election hotspot. Areas in Category 3 may also be placed under Commission on Elections (Comelec) control, meaning the poll body will have direct supervision and control over local officials there.