10 barangays on election watchlist

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is keeping a close watch on at least 10 barangays in Metro Manila ahead of the Oct. 28 barangay elections.

Chief Supt. Dennis Pena, NCRPO deputy director for administration, said preemptive measures would be taken in these areas to avert any election-related disturbance, starting with the deployment of more policemen.

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.

Pena said the list was made based on the election history of these barangays 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 following a command conference at the Quezon City Police District headquarters. “We are closely watching these places, so we can be assured that everything is in place on election day.”

He noted that there were fewer reports of election-related violence this year compared to the last barangay elections held on Oct. 25, 2010.

The NCRPO is fielding around 9,000 policemen to maintain the peace for Monday’s balloting in Metro Manila.

According to the Commission on Elections, a total of 1,706 barangays in the capital are filling up 13,648 elective positions for village chairs and councilors. Julie M. Aurelio; Inquirer Research