The City of San Fernando and the municipality of Arayat were declared high-risk areas for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections by the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC).
The declaration was made during a meeting held on Saturday as part of the PJSCC’s preparations for the May 12, 2025, elections.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The PJSCC said the two areas were flagged due to heightened political tensions and threats to peace and order.
Colonel Jay Dimaandal, director of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, stressed the importance of 'unified efforts to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral process."
“The Pampanga police, in partnership with the COMELEC and AFP, remains fully committed to safeguarding the democratic process and ensuring the safety of the electorate,” Dimaandal said.
He also mentioned the challenges posed by the designation of high-risk areas.
The police official however assured the public that proactive measures, inter-agency collaboration, and communication are in place to address the issues.
The PJSCC said it aims to deliver a fair, just, and secure election. It also committed to hold regular meetings prior to the election day.
The center added that meetings will focus on assessing risks, refining security strategies, and addressing emerging concerns to protect the integrity of the election.