AT LEAST 57 areas in Northern Mindanao Region have been classified as election watchlist areas (EWAs) and are now being monitored by the Police Regional Office (PRO) in preparation for the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth) elections.
PRO data shows that the identified EWAs in the region include cities and municipalities which have records of election-related incidents in the last 2016 elections.
In Bukidnon, two cities and 14 towns were identified. This includes the cities of Valencia and Malaybalay and municipalities of Talakag, Manolo Fortich, Malitbog, Pangantucan, San Fernando, Kibawe, Kadingilan, Dangcagan, Quezon, Kitaotao, Lantapan, Sumilao, Cabanglasan, and Impasug-ong.
The PRO said the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the province and the clashes with the government soldiers led to the displacement of Indigenous Peoples' (Lumad) communities.
On the other hand, 20 towns in Lanao del Norte provicne were included in the EWAs. These are Baroy, Kolambogan, Matungao, SND, Pantar, Kapatagan, Maigo, Pantao Ragat, Nunungan, Magsaysay, Sapad, Balo-i, Poona Piagapo, Salvador, Tangkal, Bacolod, Linamon, Tagoloan, Munai, and Kauswagan.
Authorities said the presence of armed groups and clan wars are common in these Maranao towns.
"They are heavily militarized to prevent the eruption of violence between clans and even family members," the PRO said.
The cities of Tangub, Oroquieta and Ozamis, and the municipalities of Plaridel Calamba, Lopez Jaena, Don Victoriano Chiongbian, Sapang Dalaga, Baliangao, Sinacaban and Concepcion, all in Misamis Occidental, were also listed under areas of concern.
In Misamis Oriental province, Gingoog City and the towns of Jasaan, Balingoan, Salay, Sugbongcogon, Balingasag, Lagonglong, Claveria, and Medina were placed under EWAs.
Police said private armed groups exist in Misamis Occidental while sightings of communist rebels in Misamis Oriental is also prevalent.
The PRO also said followers and supporters of contending parties have violent melees in Iligan City in the last elections.
PRO spokesperson Superintendent Lemuel Gonda said EWAs, formerly known as election hotspots, are placed under any of the three categories:
Category 1 - Intense political rivalry; history of election-related violence arising from political rivalries and presence of private armed groups.
Category 2 - All factors indicated in the first category including armed threats.
Category 3 - Has all critical factors including proliferation of firearms.
"We clarified that LGUs on the watchlist do not necessarily have violent incidents already. They are, however, being monitored because of their insurgency problems, rido or clan war, historical political rivalry and the presence of private armed groups which may be used by politicians to advance their agenda," the PRO said.
Gonda said the general election watchlist areas and other election activities will be on constant monitoring by the provincial and city police offices, police stations and Regional's Election Monitoring Action Center.
PRO regional director Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb urged aspiring village and youth leaders to be in control with their activities and their supporters and adhere to the campaign guidelines set by the poll body.
"We appeal to the public to be vigilant at all times to prevent unscrupulous individuals and lawless elements from taking advantage of the election period. We assure our best efforts in order to uphold the security and integrity of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, as well as to sustain peace and order in Northern Mindanao," Pacleb said.