An elderly woman is assisted as she undergoes biometric procedure at a voters’ registration facility in Binondo, Manila just days before the deadline of poll registration. (File photo dated January 26, 2023 from INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)
MANILA, Philippines — The number of barangays recommended to be placed under the “red category” or areas of grave concern has climbed from 246 to 357.
This new number means 111 communities have been added to the list.
The updated figure comes from Philippine National Police (PNP).
The data is in line with security preparations for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on October 30.
PNP spokesperson and public information office chief Colonel Jean Fajardo on Monday said over 100 places had been added to the list covering the period from September 20 to October 5.
“Nadagdagan po ang ating election areas of concern,” Fajardo said in a press briefing.
(The number of our election areas of concern has increased.)
“Yung red category ay nasa around 357. Yung sa orange ay nasa around 1,323. Sa yellow, nasa 1,231,” she enumerated.
(Those in the red category are around 357. Those in the orange are around 1,323. For yellow, it is at 1,231.)
70 percent of the places of concern are in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
PNP intends to deploy troops in this region for public security.
Among the factors considered in putting an area under the red category, or the highest alert level during an election period, are the recorded election-related incidents (ERIs).
Other poll-related incidents occurred in Regions 4A (Calabarzon), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 5 (Bicol), and 10 (Northern Mindanao).
Fajardo said these figures might change, depending on the political situation of a specific area.
PNP will countercheck the figures with Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard.
The final list will be submitted to Commission on Elections.
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