Comelec declares entire Mindanao an election hotspot

Outline of Mindanao (INQUIRER.net stock photo)

Updated @ 6:36 p.m., Mach 19, 2019, to add more details

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared on Tuesday the whole region of Mindanao as an election hotspot.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez made this announcement following “serious armed threats” made by members of the New People’s Army, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and some rogue elements of the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and other similar groups.

Besides Mindanao, other areas declared as hotspots are the towns of Jones in Isabela and Lope de Vega in Northern Samar and the entire province of Abra. 0

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are with the Comelec in identifying areas that should be placed under Code Red — that is, classified as a hotspot.

“The Category Red classification may warrant the motu propio declaration of Comelec Control over the affected area, and the Comelec En Banc may direct the augmentation of personnel of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines as the need arises,” Jimenez said in a statement.

Category Red also refers to areas where relevant government agencies declared the existence of conditions which may constitute grounds for the declaration of Comelec Control.

The midterm elections are set for May 13, 2019, with more than 60 million registered voters expected to participate.

Polling precincts will open at 6:00 a.m. and will close at 6:00 p.m. /atm

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