By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) announced four far-flung barangays in four Negros Occidental towns are considered election watchlist areas (EWAS) for the upcoming May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
NOPPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, Jr., said the communities are located in Moises Padilla, Don Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, and Toboso.
“They are identified under EWAS because of sightings of suspected rebels belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA) and other armed lawless groups,” Castil said.
He cited a recent shooting in a community bordering Moises Padilla and Isabela last April 9, where unidentified assailants shot and killed 50-year-old Jose Joerito Amable of Moises Padilla, a retired soldier and member of civil security group for Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña; 70-year-old retired police officer Alejandro Borres, also of Moises Padilla; and 29-year-old Federico Bitgue III of Isabela.
Castil said rebels and other armed groups may take advantage of the election period, which prompted law enforcement to give priority to the areas.
Several armed groups has also been spotted in the mountainous areas of Toboso and Calatrava, he pointed out.
“We have already started re-aligning their forces for election-related purposes, to ensure a peaceful and orderly election on May 14,” the NOPPO chief said, adding he foresees possible trouble may arise in those areas during the election.
He noted, they are also coordinating with the Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade to secure the remote areas of Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 troopers are also augmenting NOPPO forces in securing the province during the upcoming polls.
Ninety-three of the 601 barangays in Negros Occidental, excluding Bacolod City, have been reported by the military to be either infiltrated or under the influence of the NPA.
Negros Occidental Commission on Elections (Comelec) election supervisor, Atty. Jessie Suarez, said NOPPO’s recommendation will be discussed during the Provincial Joint Security Control Center Meeting tomorrow, May 2.
“It will be my office who will approve the recommendation of the police as far as EWAS is concerned,” Suarez said./DGB, WDJ
