ELEVEN barangays and five towns were classified under Category 1 of the Election Watchlist Areas (EWAs) of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ahead of the Oct. 28 barangay elections.
In a workshop with the Cebu provincial police, Comelec provincial supervisor Lionel Castillano identified the towns of San Fernando and Dumanjug in southern Cebu and Tuburan in western Cebu in Category 1 of Comelec’s EWA.
Also included are Tabuelan town in northwest Cebu and Bogo City in northern Cebu. Barangays under EWAs are Pitalo, Panadtaran, Bugho, and Tongo in San Fernando and Poblacion, Sima in Dumanjug town.
Rounding up the list are barangays Sumon and Candabong in Tuburan town, Cantuban and Caduangon in Tabuelan town and Cayang in Bogo City. The PNP’s command post was set up in San Fernando town.
Intense rivalry
Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, Cebu provincial police chief, said those under Category 1 EWA has intense political rivalry and face threats from armed groups.
Castillano said the candidates in these areas have intensified their campaign even before filing their certificates of candidacies.
Violence
Those under Category II or election area of immediate concern (EAIC) have experienced election-related violence since January this year.
Those under Category III or election areas of grave concern (EAGC) has at least one candidate killed. Category IV means the Comelec is placing the area under its direct control.
Gillamac said they identified three potential armed groups in Balamban town ruled by the Sigue group.
There’s also the Omboy–Sanopao Group in Ronda and Ancero towns and the Sumabong Group in Bogo City.
Gillamac said they received reports of 40 people arriving in barangay Kinatarcan in Sta. Fe town.
He said he was told by Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu’s 4th district to check on their background since they were not natives there.
Additional areas may be placed under EWAs after the filing of certificates of candidacies on Oct. 19. Correspondent Christine Emily L. Pantaleon