SOME 403 areas in various parts of the country have been flagged as areas of concern for the May 12 midterm elections, with 38 of them falling under the “red category,” signaling significant security threats or a history of violent election-related incidents.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has been identified as the region with the highest concentration of critical risk zones, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Thursday.
Of the 38 areas under the red category, 32 were in the BARMM.
This designation necessitates increased security measures and intensive monitoring by the Comelec, Philippine National Police (PNP), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to mitigate potential risks and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
In addition to the areas categorized as red, the region also recorded 22 locations under the “orange” category, indicating serious armed threats, and 49 areas placed under “yellow,” which reflects a history of election-related incidents. These classifications highlight the complex security situation in BARMM, where political rivalries, clan conflicts, and extremist activities have historically contributed to election-related violence and instability.
The list, which categorizes areas based on the level of election-related risks, was presented during a press briefing on Thursday at the PNP Command Center.
The risk areas are classified into four categories: green (minimal risk), yellow (moderate risk), orange (elevated risk), and red (critical risk).
These classifications are based on historical data, local conditions, and security assessments to determine the level of attention each area requires.
The complete list reveals that a total of 403 areas nationwide have been flagged as areas of concern. The list had 1,239 areas classified as green, 188 yellow, 177 orange and 38 red.
The National Capital Region (NCR) and Region 11 (Davao Region) stood out for having no areas classified under orange or red, signifying relatively stable election environments in these regions. However, the Bicol Region (Region 5) showed substantial concerns, with 48 areas tagged as orange and two areas marked as red, suggesting that increased attention and resources would be required to ensure a peaceful election in the region.
Regions like Calabarzon (Region 4A) reported the highest number of green-tagged areas, with 134 locations deemed minimal risk. Other regions, including Ilocos (Region 1) and Central Visayas (Region 7), also reported significant numbers of green-tagged areas, with 106 and 109 areas, respectively.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia emphasized that the designation of these risk areas is crucial for guiding the preparation efforts of the Comelec, PNP, and AFP in deploying resources and ensuring heightened security where necessary. He called on local politicians, both incumbent and candidates, to cooperate with these security measures to ensure peaceful elections.
He said areas categorized under the red zone may fall under Comelec control, which involves stricter monitoring and potential intervention in the political process to ensure electoral integrity. Garcia urged local leaders to avoid this outcome, as it could disrupt the normal conduct of life in these communities.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil reported that the police have ramped up efforts to address security threats, including clamping down on private armed groups and loose firearms, which have been identified as key risks to election security. The PNP also aims to bolster its cybersecurity efforts to guard against potential threats in the digital sphere.
As of 2024, the PNP has recorded 120 possible election-related incidents, with only 12 confirmed as linked to the upcoming elections. Comelec officials noted that they are monitoring even the green-tagged areas, acknowledging that situations could evolve, and areas deemed safe may require increased attention as election day approaches.
The final list of areas of concern is expected to guide the security operations and deployment of resources as the election period progresses. Garcia assured the public that despite the heightened risks in certain areas, efforts will be made to ensure that every Filipino’s vote remains secure and free from violence or coercion.
As the country prepares for the midterm elections, the Comelec is encouraging citizens to report any election-related threats or irregularities to help safeguard the democratic process.
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