By JEN BAYLON
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has officially entered a heightened alert status as the election period for the midterm polls commenced yesterday.
NOCPPO spokesperson, Police Captain Judesses Catalogo, said checkpoints have been established in various locations across the province, while a gun ban will be implemented until June 11.
So far, Catalogo said there have been no reported violations or arrests in relation to the Omnibus Election Code on the first day of implementation of the gun ban.
The NOCPPO remains vigilant throughout the entire election period to prevent any potential disruptions.
Additionally, law enforcement is closely monitoring areas known for the presence of armed groups, such as the New People’s Army, to mitigate any threats that may arise during this election period.
The heightened alert status reflects the commitment of local authorities to uphold security and ensure a safe environment for voters in the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, checkpoints have been set up in more than 10 strategic points in capital Bacolod City.
These are manned by personnel from Bacolod City Police Office’s Stations 1 to 10, while the Bacolod City Mobile Force Company is assigned to operate checkpoints located in Barangay Mansilingan at the boundary with Murcia town in the east; Barangay Sum-ag, with Bago City in the south; and Barangay Mandalagan, with Talisay City in the north.
Critical need
Ian Lee Ananoria, Negros Occidental provincial election supervisor, underscored the critical need for developing contingency plans to address emergencies, such as an eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, during the May elections.
This proactive approach is essential to ensure that the electoral process remains uninterrupted and that voters feel safe participating in the polls.
Ananoria reiterated instructions from Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Erwin Garcia, emphasizing that evacuation protocols must be in place to facilitate a smooth transition in case of an emergency.
“We need to ensure that, regardless of any unforeseen events, the proclamation of winners for national positions, including party-list representatives and senators, will not be delayed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) held a meeting on Saturday, January 11, to discuss measures to bolster security and preparedness for the elections.
The RJSCC has not made specific recommendations regarding the finalization of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental’s security status in the polls.
Ananoria disclosed that Negros Occidental is under the green category.
Earlier, the Comelec in Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) would recommend placing Negros Oriental under the yellow or orange category.
Yellow category denotes areas with a history of election-related incidents, while orange category indicates the presence of private armed groups.
Comelec-NIR Director Lionel Marco Castillano said Negros Oriental was placed under the same category during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in 2023.
Negros Oriental also has a history of election-related violence and intense political rivalry, Castillano said.
He will recommend the province to be placed under the green category./With reports from PNA / JB, WDJ