There are 12 areas of concern in Negros Occidental for the May polls, and the majority of them are because of the presence of Communist terrorists, acting provincial elections supervisor Roberto Salazar said Monday.
He said Don Salvador Benedicto is an area of concern, while areas of immediate concern are Manapla, Silay City, Victorias City, Toboso, Binalbagan, Himamaylan City, Kabankalan City and Hinoba-an.
Areas of grave concern are Candoni, Moises Padilla and Escalante City, Salazar said, but there could be changes in the list.
Salazar said an area of concern is where there is intense political rivalry or where election related violence occurred in previous elections, and an area of immediate concern is where there is a presence of Communist terrorists or armed groups.
Areas of grave concern are a combination of the factors identified in areas of concern and immediate concern, he said.
The list recommended by the police and Army has been sent to the Regional Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council, Salazar said.*