THE police has identified 54 places in Central Visayas as election watchlist areas (Ewas) for the May 13 midterm elections.
Negros Oriental province was placed in the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) red category due to the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Police Regional Tactical Operations Office 7 Chief Dominick Poblete refused to divulge all the names of the cities and municipalities placed in the Ewas by the Police Regional Office 7.
The official said Bohol has 24 localities under Ewas; Cebu, 20; and Negros Oriental, 10.
Poblete said the NPA is present in two of Negros Oriental’s six component cities (Guihulngan and Canlaon) and eight of its 19 municipalities (Bindoy, Siaton, La Libertad, San Jose, Ayungon, Mabinay, Manjuyod and Sta. Catalina).
The police official further said inter-unit operations were initiated by the police and military in these places.
In Cebu, the ambush involving San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya last January was considered by the police as related to the upcoming midterm elections.
The police had confirmed four election-related incidents.
Meanwhile, the Comelec in Central Visayas will start removing oversized posters, including those placed in undesignated areas, when the local campaign starts on March 29.
The region has 2,914 voting centers and each will be secured by two police officers on May 13. (From HBL of SuperBalita Cebu, KAL)