Comelec yet to release list of 104 election areas of concern

Comelec logo. Graphic design by INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — With just 14 days before the May 9 polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) admitted that it has not yet released the list of 104 areas of concern due to constant monitoring, Commissioner George Garcia admitted on Monday.

“In the entire country, we have more or less 104 areas of concern. But I cannot particularly pinpoint. Alam niyo po kung bakit (You know why)?,” Garcia said in a press briefing during the peace covenant signing in Negros Oriental.

“The reason why we cannot give as of yet the 104 [areas of concern]… is because we are constantly monitoring the situation, especially coming from our field,” he added.

Early this month, the Philippine National Police (PNP) submitted a list of 120 areas that should be considered as election areas of concern.

“Aside from the assessment being given by the military and the PNP, we’d like to have our own assessment,” said Garcia.

He explained that there are instances when areas considered “green” turn “red” or “areas of grave concern,” or the other way around.

“Napakapangit po kasi na because red siya, bigla na lang namin siya ide-declare under Comelec control,” Garcia lamented.

(It is not good to declare an area under Comelec control just because it is labeled red.)

The poll body earlier placed Malabang and Tubaran towns in Lanao del Sur under its control.

EDV