The initial recommendation is to categorize Negros Occidental as “green” or peaceful for the upcoming May 12 midterm elections, Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Negros Island Region said on Friday, Jan 10.
But he reiterated that Negros Oriental cannot be categorized as “green” given the province’s history of election-related violence and intense political rivalry.
Negros Oriental will probably will be categorized as yellow that means there is an existence of election-related incidents or rivalry without domestic terror involvement, or orange, which is considered to have multiple yellow factors or serious armed threats, he said.
The Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) of the Negros Island Region is set to convene in Bacolod City on Saturday, Jan. 11.
Castillano said the RJSCC will hear the recommendations from the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines on the categorization of areas within the NIR.
They will also discuss security concerns.
The election period starts Sunday, Jan. 12, and will end on June 11.
Prohibited during the election period are:
*Bearing, carrying, or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec;
*Use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, unless authorized in writing by the Commission;
*Alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct;
*Transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service, except upon prior approval of the Commission;
*Organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces, or similar forces; and
Suspension of elective provincial, city, municipal, or barangay officer without prior approval of the Commission.*