BACOLOD CITY, (PNA) — Five barangays in this city that could be “areas of concern” in the Oct. 28 barangay elections are being monitored by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
City Election Officer Mavil Majarucon-Sia said these five far-flung villages that are being watched for possible problems during the barangay elections are Barangays Granada, Cabug, Vista Alegre, Handumanan and Mansilingan.
In the past elections, Majarucon-Sia said they had received reports regarding the presence of armed men in Alangilan and Mansilingan, but the reports turned out negative upon verification of the Philippine National Police.
She added that they are conducting monitoring operations to know if there is a need to assign an election assistant in the area.
Since these areas are far, they may not be able to respond immediately in case problems arise, Majarucon-Sia said.
The Department of Interior and Local Government office here is also coordinating with the COMELEC and the PNP in identifying the five barangays as “areas of concern,” Acting DILG Bacolod Director Glenn Guzman said.
During the City Peace and Order Council meeting Thursday, the COMELEC said the barangays could be identified as such if there is intense political rivalry or conflict after the candidates have already filed their certificates of candidacy.