Comelec mulls review of ‘areas of concern’ classifications for 2025 polls
COLLATERAL DAMAGE A vehicle’s windshield is cracked after being hit by rocks thrown by supporters of political candidates during a clash in front of the Shariff Aguak municipal hall in Maguindanao del Sur on Tuesday (Oct. 8, 2024), the last day for filing certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 local elections. The violence left one village guard dead and six others, including a police officer, injured. (Photo courtesy of SHARIFF AGUAK MPS)
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is studying the new assessment of the classification of areas of concern for the 2025 polls, according to its Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Thursday.
According to Garcia, there might be areas that can be upgraded to the red category or downgraded to the green category.
“In the next few days, tayo po ay makikipagpulong sa ating Chief PNP [Philippine National Police] at isa po ‘yun sa ating tatalakayin—yung posibilidad na ngayon pa lamang, magkaroon ng bagong assessment tungkol sa sitwasyon ng iba’t ibang bansa, lalo na kung ang pag-uusapan ay peace and order,” Garcia said in an interview with Teleradyo 630.
(In the next few days, we will meet with the PNP chief and this is one of the matters that we will discuss—the possibility that we will have the assessment of the situation of the country as soon as possible, especially if we are talking about peace and order.)
The red category refers to areas with serious or grave threats amid the preparations for the 2025 polls, while the green category refers to areas with no security concerns.
READ: Comelec names 38 places as areas under serious threats in 2025 elections
He also said that while there are still 38 areas across the country placed under the red category, adjustment on the classification is needed.
This situation came after Garcia expressed concern about the increase in violence in Northern Mindanao.
He said that he considers the threats as election-related violence because the usual victims are incumbent politicians or aspirants in the 2025 elections.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the poll body reiterated that there is no area currently placed under Comelec control.
“Kapag yung kaguluhan o violence na tinatawag… ay medyo ‘di naman tinatawag na out of control,” Garcia said.
(If the threats and violence are being referred to… they may not be out of control.)
“Kinakailangan na tayong mag-intervene upang ang Comelec na mismo ang mamahala sa lugar or immediately makapagpalit tayo ng kung sinong dapat papalitan,” he answered when asked how an area can be placed under the Comelec control.
(The Comelec needs to intervene to govern the place or immediately replace those who need to be replaced.)
READ: Comelec sees increase in poll violence in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Sur
He also noted that the people should not fear such a categorization since it is only meant to guide the poll body and the Philippine National Police for easier deployment of law enforcers.
