By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Central Office released updated guidelines for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in October.

Comelec in Negros Occidental elections supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria said they will hold meetings with security agencies in the province next week regarding election watchlist areas and the convening of the joint security council.

Ananoria said the monitoring of potential armed groups (PAGS) and their history of violence in certain areas are just a few of the many topics they will discuss in their meetings.

He did not disclose some details of the Comelec guidelines, but police and military agencies are waiting for the regulation for the identification of election hotspots.

Earlier, during the 2nd quarter meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council, the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas monitored three PAGS in Negros Occidental.

Ananoria also mentioned that they will closely watch for insurgency issues and the involvement of armed groups during the election period.

The election gun ban period will begin on August 28, the same day as the filing period for the certificates of candidacy./DGB, WDJ