Comelec places 242 barangays under ‘red category’ for 2023 BSKE

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said it has placed 242 barangays under the red category due to security concerns in the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

According to Comelec commissioner and Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns Chair Aimee Ferolino in a press conference, the majority or 147 of the barangays under the red category are located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Meanwhile, 60 barangays are in Eastern Visayas, 21 are in Bicol Region, five are in Soccsksargen, four are in Cagayan Valley, three are in Western Visayas, and one each in Central Luzon and Zamboanga Peninsula.

The red category is the highest alert level during the campaign season for the 2023 BSKE, with serious or grave security threats and a history of election-related incidents.

On the other hand, 1,254 barangays were placed under the orange category, with the majority located in the Bicol Region at 317, followed by Western Visayas with 166, Northern Mindanao with 156, and 152 in Soccsksargen.

A total of 121 barangays were also placed under the orange category in Caraga, 106 in Barmm, 80 in Mimaropa, 52 in Eastern Visayas, 41 in Cagayan Valley, 35 in Central Visayas, 15 in Zamboanga Peninsula, seven in Calabarzon, and six in Central Luzon.

Areas placed under the orange category exhibit serious threats from local armed groups and communist terrorist organizations.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,078 barangays were placed under the yellow category —  sites with recorded election-related incidents during the two previous polls.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the list was approved by the Comelec en banc.

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