THE Western Visayas police office said it will give special attention to areas under watchlist by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
This was confirmed by Regional Director Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas recently after reviewing the Comelec’s towns and cities in the election watchlist of areas (Ewas).
Cuevas said that so far, there are 46 towns and cities identified in Western Visayas, which are included in the watchlist. Security measures will include augmentation of police forces and intensified police visibility in these areas that will also include enhanced check point operations.
The parameters in determining these areas under the watchlist are the active presence of guerilla front, election-related violent incidents in the past two elections, intense partisan political rivalry and possible employment of partisan armed groups.
Cuevas said 17 areas in Iloilo province are included in the watchlist, 10 in Negros Occidental, nine in Antique, four in Capiz, three in Aklan, two in Guimaras, and Iloilo City.
The regional police director said it included Iloilo City in the list after the grenade explosion at the vicinity of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas ancestral residence in Molo district.
Cuevas said that deployment of the maneuver companies of the 6th Regional Public Safety Management Battalion will be prioritized to these areas. (Lydia C. Pendon)