Although there are no private armed groups reported in Central Visayas, the Philippine National Police is giving special attention to traditional election hotspots like Bogo City in north Cebu.
The close monitoring will be done especially on Oct. 1 – 5, the scheduled filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2013 elections.
“We are working on the identification of candidates who are possibly utilizing armed groups and those areas with intense political rivalry,” said Senior Insp. Randy Caballes of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7).
Caballes said police are on the look-out for private armed groups in the past elections who may have regrouped.
Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, head of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), said he will deploy men to secure Comelec personnel and offices.
The PNP is not in full alert status next week but they will monitor and deploy uniformed personnel in Comelec offices.
“There are no areas of concern as of now,” said Comelec regional director for the Central Visayas Temmie Lambino.
Other areas being watched by the PNP are some areas in southern Cebu and the provinces of Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Bohol.