MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it has so far validated two cases of election-related violence ahead of the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
PNP spokesperson and Public Information Office chief Col. Jean Fajardo said the verified election-related violent incidents were recorded in Libon, Albay, and Malabang, Lanao del Sur — areas which the Commission on Elections (Comelec) eyes to place under its control.
“’Yung validated incidents po ay dun po sa Region 5 (Bicol Region) at saka doon po sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region,” Fajardo told reporters.
In August, the PNP identified and prepared a list of areas of concern, but it has yet to receive approval from the Comelec.
The PNP said that it had identified 27 possible areas of concern under the red category or places with grave security threats or a history of election-related incidents.
It likewise monitored about 232 areas under orange category (areas with serious threats), 4,085 under yellow (with a history of election-related incidents), and 37,683 under green (areas with no security concerns). (with reports from Harold Hernandez)