THE Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) has identified seven areas in Cebu province that might be included in the Election Watchlist areas (EWAS).
Nick Jose Mendroz, Comelec-7 director, said yesterday that these areas are considered because of a history of intense political rivalry and the presence of private armed groups.
Mendroz, however, refused to name these seven areas.
He said they have yet to consolidate data with military and police authorities in these areas before they will decide on which town or city to put on the watchlist.
He, however, said they will reveal the hotspots, possibly by the end of the month.
Brig. Gen. Roberto Domines, deputy commander of the AFP’s Central Command, also said that since the election period has started, no election-related violence has been reported in the region.
However, in the 2013 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan and Midterm Elections, San Fernando and Dumanjug towns in southern Cebu and Tuburan in the western Cebu, and Bogo City in northern Cebu were placed under Category 1 of the election watchlist, which means these areas had intense political rivalry and faced threats from armed groups.
In 2013, men believed to be members of private armed groups were arrested in Tuburan and San Fernando towns.
In the May 2010 National Election, Bogo City was the center of attention when the rival camps of Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. and Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of the 4th district figured in a standoff in Barangay Polambato.
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