The Negros Occidental Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) will meet on December 12 to assess the political situation in the Negros Island Region (NIR) ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

“We will still assess the region’s peace and order situation based on the intelligence operations of the Philippine National Police and the military,” Commission on Elections (Comelec)-NIR Director Lionel Marco Castillano said.

The meeting will also discuss security concerns for the elections.

He said that while the first NIR Regional Joint Security Control Center meeting is scheduled in January 2025, there is still time to assess the election situation of the NIR.

“There is a proper process before areas can be declared hotspots or election areas of concern,” Castillano said.

“If there are areas of concern or possible hotspots, they will be recommended to the Regional JSCC, based on information from the police and military,” he added.

Castillano said the PJSCC of Negros Oriental and Siquijor has already convened.

The PJSCC is composed of the Comelec-Negros Occidental, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade./WDJ