10 Metro barangays on police election watchlist

PHOTO BY NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines—The police in the National Capital Region are keeping a close eye on 10 barangays in Metro Manila as possible problem areas in the run-up to Monday’s barangay elections.

Chief Superintendent Dennis Peña, deputy director for administration of the National Capital Region Police Office, said it was taking pre-emptive measures in these places, such as the deployment of more policemen, to guard against possible election-related violence and other incidents.

The 10 barangays on the watchlist are: Barangay 503 in Manila; Barangay 87, Caloocan City; Barangay Balong Bato, Valenzuela City; Barangay Maharlika, Taguig City; Barangay Pineda, Pasig City; Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City; Barangay Sto. Domingo, Quezon City; Barangay Catmon, Malabon City; Barangays West Navotas and Northbay Boulevard South, Navotas City.

Peña said the basis of the watchlist was the historical political background of the areas and reports from concerned citizens.

“At the moment, it’s 10. But of course, this could still increase or decrease if more reports come in,” he said on the sidelines of a command conference at the Quezon City Police District headquarters.

He noted that there have been fewer incidents of election-related violence this year compared to the last barangay elections, perhaps due to the  deployment of more policemen in the 10 barangays.

“We are closely watching these places, so we can be assured that everything is in place on election day,” Peña said.

Around 9,000 NCRPO policemen will be deployed to secure the barangay elections.