Day 1 of barangay, SK polls campaign ‘generally peaceful’–PNP

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao INQUIRER.net / NOY MORCOSO

No major incident was reported on the first day of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election campaign period, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Saturday.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said the campaign period was “generally peaceful with no significant election campaign-related incident recorded.”

“To maintain this favorable situation, the PNP continuously monitors the barangays categorized as hotspots or those where violence is likely to occur due to intense political rivalry, with history of violence and presence of armed and threat groups,” the official said.

“With all security forces on alert, the PNP remains on top of the situation,” he assured the public.

@COMELEC hotspots pic.twitter.com/RQq8ZFV2Qz

— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) May 2, 2018

At least 7,638 election hotspots were identified by the PNP across the country. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the PNP classified these hotspots as yellow, orange and red.

Hotspots classified as red were areas in “critical situation” while orange were areas with “presence of armed groups and organized movements outside the law.” Areas under yellow were considered “with history of political unrest.”

The Comelec set the campaign period from May 4, Friday, to May 12, Saturday. Campaign moratorium was set on May 13, Sunday, while Election Day was scheduled on May 14, Monday.

READ:Comelec spox: Report illegally placed posters of barangay, SK poll bets

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said voters should be vigilant and immediately report such violations to the agency.