The Commission on Elections (Comelec) sees Negros Oriental to be likely categorized as an “orange” election area of concern for the upcoming May 12 midterm elections.

Regional Election Director Lionel Marco Castillano of the Comelec-Negros Island Region (NIR) said in an interview yesterday that given the province’s history of election-related violence and intense political rivalry, Negros Oriental would “definitely not be placed under the green category,” which signifies areas with no security concerns.

During the October 2024 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, Negros Oriental was placed under Comelec control due to incidents linked to the March 4, 2023 assassination of former governor Roel Degamo.

The politically motivated attack in Pamplona claimed 10 lives, including Degamo’s, and injured 17 others.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) employs a four-tier color-coded system to classify election concerns: green (peaceful), yellow (election-related incidents or rivalry without domestic terror involvement), orange (multiple yellow factors or serious armed threats), and red (serious threats and potential Comelec control).

Castillano said the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) is awaiting recommendations from the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines regarding specific hotspots.

These will be forwarded to the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) and ultimately to Comelec’s gun ban and security concerns committee for final approval.

The first-ever meeting of the NIR-RJSCC will be held in Bacolod City on January 11 to address security preparations. (PNA)