CAMPAIGN RALLY.The kick-off rally led by the team of reelectionist Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Saturday (March 26, 2022). Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who attended the gathering, said on Monday (March 28) there has been no reports of violence during the first three days of the local campaign in the province. (Photo from Escalante City Mayor Beboy Yap's Facebook account) BACOLOD CITY -The first three days of the local campaign in Negros Occidental was described as a "fiesta-like" atmosphere and no untoward incidents reported. "I have not heard of any report as far as violence related to the campaign. I was able to attend some and of course, it's like a fiesta. All supporters are out in the open supporting their respective candidates. We hope to maintain that in the remaining days of the campaign period," Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday in an interview with the media. Lacson acknowledged though that the Philippine
BACOLOD CITY - The number of election watchlist areas (EWAs) in Negros Occidental could still go up during the local campaign period, especially in localities with intense political rivalries. As of Tuesday, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) reported 18 EWAs in the province as security preparations continue before the start of the 45-day campaign period for local candidates on March 25. Lt. Abegael Donasco, the spokesperson of NOCPPO, said the plan to secure all candidates are being put in place. "As the election nears, we will be expecting some addition in red areas, where there are intense political rivalries. We're hoping though there will be lesser areas under yellow and orange categories," Donasco said in a virtual press briefing. The EWAs in Negros Occidental include Don Salvador Benedicto, which is under Category Yellow; and the cities of Silay, Victorias, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, and Sipalay as well as the municipalities of Binalbagan, Manapla
BACOLOD CITY - The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has set the deployment of more personnel to 18 election watchlist areas (EWAs) in the province during the May 9 national and local polls. Lt. Abegael Donasco, the spokesperson of NOCPPO, said on Tuesday the number of identified localities can still decrease or increase, depending on the assessment. "The deployment plan for additional personnel is already in place," Donasco said in a virtual press conference. Based on the list provided by the NOCPPO, the EWAs in Negros Occidental include Don Salvador Benedicto, which is under Category Yellow; and the cities of Silay, Victorias, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, and Sipalay as well as the municipalities of Binalbagan, Manapla, Cauayan, Hinobaan, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana, and Toboso, which are all listed under Category Orange. Areas under Category Red are Escalante City, Calatrava, Moises Padilla, and Candoni. Those under Category Yellow are considered areas of con
(File photo) BAGUIO CITY - The Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PROCOR) said it is now keeping a close watch on the two local government units (LGUs) in the regions (CAR) which are classified as "red areas" for the May 9 polls. Capt. Marnie Abellanida, PROCOR information officer, in a phone interview on Friday, said as of the end of January, Tabuk City and the town of Lubuagan in Kalinga have been placed under the red category. "They were placed under red category due to the recent incidents which are election-related," he said. He, however, said they are now checking the details of the incidents that prompted the declaration. Based on the guidelines of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), "areas shall be placed under category red immediately if an existence of one or more factors under category yellow combined with serious armed threats stated under category orange." Areas under yellow category are those that have a history of election-related inciden
(PNA file photo by Liza T. Agoot) BAGUIO CITY - Various programs of the government in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are seen to contribute to peaceful polls in the area, the region's top cop said on Wednesday. "Iba na ang sitwasyon ngayon sa region (the situation in the region is different). Many of the insurgents that contribute to the peace and order problem have surrendered and others continue to embrace peace," Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PROCOR) Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee said in a briefing. In particular, he said far-flung communities that used to be inaccessible have been given farm-to-market roads that allow residents to get government services and bring their products to the market. He also said several firearms were surrendered and confiscated as part of the continuing effort for "Oplan Katok". Currently, Lee said there are no active private armed groups (PAGs) operating anywhere in the region who have been known to perpetrate political