BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA

Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo – commander of the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade – said he will let the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Region 6 identify the election “areas of concern” in Negros Occidental.

Initially, authorities have identified five towns in the province with intense political rivalry, or election “hotspots.”

Arevalo said the police, Army and Comelec were still monitoring the situations in these areas, which include Moises Padilla, Toboso, E.B. Magalona, Don Salvador Benedicto, and Isabela.

“We are hoping the listed areas will be reduced,” stressed Arevalo, adding that the rate of election-related violence in the province has dropped.

But increased presence of soldiers and police officers will still be observed in Negros Occidental with the campaign period for local candidates beginning today, the Army official said./DGB, WDJ