By JEN BAYLON
The Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) confirmed that no local government unit (LGU) in Negros Occidental has been classified under the Red Category, which denotes critical areas of concern for the May 12 midterm elections.
Comelec-NIR Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano revealed that the region submitted recommendations regarding the classification of certain LGUs under the yellow and orange categories.
Notably, the towns of Isabela and San Enrique, previously categorized under the Yellow Category due to past election-related incidents, have been downgraded to the Green Category as of March 11.
This change reflects a reduction in security concerns in these areas, Castillano said.
The Negros Occidental Provincial Joint Security Control Center earlier recommended placing Candoni town under the Orange Category due to armed threats.
The rest of the LGUs remain under the Green Category, indicating no significant security concerns.
Meanwhile, in Negros Oriental, two LGUs — Guihulngan City and La Libertad town — have been approved for classification under the Red Category by Comelec, which signifies serious armed threats and a history of election-related incidents.
Authorities recommended placing La Libertad under the highest classification during a meeting of the Negros Oriental Provincial Joint Security Control Center last month due to the presence of armed threat groups.
“This developed following the burning of heavy equipment by members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in a remote sub-village in La Libertad last month,” Castillano said.
The dismantled Central Negros 1 guerrilla front’s Leonardo Panaligan Command claimed responsibility for the burning of equipment belonging to a construction company in Sitio Manghuya Barangay Aya on February 8.
The Comelec categorizes LGUs based on specific criteria:
* Yellow Category indicates suspected election-related incidents in past elections and intense partisan rivalry without domestic terror groups
* Orange Category involves a combination of Yellow Category factors or serious armed threats from terrorist groups
* Green Category denotes areas with no significant security concerns
Earlier, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body has yet to declare any areas in the country under its control so far.
However, Garcia expects an increase in election-related incidents after the start of the campaign period for local candidates last March 28.
The 45-day campaign for local candidates started on Friday and will last until May 10.
However, candidates are not allowed to campaign on April 17 (Maundy Thursday), April 18 (Good Friday), May 11 (eve of Election Day), and May 12 (Election Day).
The Comelec in Negros Occidental said the first three days of the local campaign period in the province commenced without any reported disruptions or violations.
Provincial election supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said no notices of violation have been issued so far by his office or any municipal and city Comelec offices against any local candidate. / With reports from PNA / JB, WDJ