The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) is hoping to downgrade one town and one city in Negros Oriental listed under “red” category of election areas of concern for the May 12 elections.

Brigadier General Jack Wanky, newly appointed PRO-NIR director, said during a media interview yesterday that only Negros Oriental in the entire NIR has “red” areas, or areas with serious threats and history of election-related violence.

These are Guihulngan City and La Libertad town.

“So far, we have not monitored any recent election-related violent incidents in these areas. Probably we can downgrade the red category and that is one of our objectives,” Wanky said.

Aside from the two “red” areas in Negros Oriental, one — Basay town — is under “orange” category (with serious armed threats) while 22 are under “yellow” category (has history of poll-related unrest).

The province has 25 towns and cities.

The categorization of election areas of concern will be recommended by the police and military to the Regional Joint Security Control Center headed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

On placing certain areas under Comelec control during the elections, Wanky said he does not think it will lead to that as the peace and order situation in the province is under control.

He said they do not want any area placed under Comelec control as “it would really project a bad image for the province.”

Wanky made his first official visit to Negros Oriental yesterday following his appointment as PRO-NIR chief on March 27.

He paid a courtesy call to Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria, met with the Comelec regional and provincial officials, spoke to the troops, and held a closed-door command conference with Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office officials. (PNA)