Comelec tags 242 barangays as prone to election violence

At least 242 barangays, mostly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), are prone to election-related violence during the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, who chairs the committee on the ban on firearms and security concerns, said 242 barangays have been categorized by security forces under the red or highest level as “areas of concern.”

However, Comelec did not yet place these 242 barangays under its direct control.

Ferolino said the security assessment of possible election flashpoints was made as of Sept. 20 and could still change in the coming days.

Out of the 242 “red category” barangays, 147 are in the BARMM, 60 in Eastern Visayas, 21 in Bicol, five in Soccsksargen, four in Cagayan Valley, three in Western Visayas, one in the Zamboanga Peninsula and one in Central Luzon.

Meanwhile, 1,257 other barangays have been categorized under the “orange,” or second highest, level of concern while 1,077 barangays have been categorized under “yellow” or third highest level.

There are 42,029 barangays nationwide.

According to Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco, the barangays placed under the red category have experienced either election-related violence, intense political rivalries, possible use of partisan or private armed groups by candidates, serious armed threat by terrorist groups, or history of being placed under Comelec control during elections.

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