Negros Oriental was recently declared a “priority province” by the Philippine National Police for the upcoming May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, due to the reported presence of the New People’s Army (NPA) throughout the province.

Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOrPPO) director, Police Senior Superintendent Edwin Portento, said their province is being prioritized within Region 7, noting, “Sa other provinces, very low na ‘yung insurgency problem nila (In other provinces, they have a very low insurgency problem).”

The province currently has 79 barangays marked as “election hotpots,” which are located in Guihulngan, Mabinay, Tayasan, Ayungon, Bayawan, Santa Catalina, and Pamplona.

Earlier this month, a gun battle ensued in San Carlos City’s Barangay Nataban between the Philippine Army 79th Infantry Battalion (79 IB) and the NPA.

According to San Carlos City police chief, Police Superintendent D’Artagnan Katalbas, the conflict lasted for around 20 minutes, with the rebel group retreating to the vicinity of Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental./WDJ