La Union, Isabela towns top NL Comelec poll watch list

Eighteen cities and municipalities across the country were placed under the Commission on Election election watch list areas (EWAS) as of Jan. 14 with Sudipen, La Union and Balaoan, La Union in Northern Luzon topping the list. Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde said an area is placed under Comelec watch in the event of intense political rivalry or severe violence related to the conduct of the election.

The PNP Chief said they will augment their forces on the ground specifically to EWAS to maintain peace and order and closely monitor any untoward incident in line with the upcoming polls.

The PNP will also conduct a series of police operations together with a special operations task group also under the poll body. 

Aside from Sudipen and Balaoan, the following were considered election watch list areas (EWAS) nationwide:

Jones, Isabela; Lemery, Batangas; Roxas, Oriental Mindoro; Balud, Masbate; Dimasalang, Masbate; Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur; Cagayan De Oro City, Misamis Oriental; Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan; Lantawan, Basilan; Tipo-Tipo, Basilan; Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur; Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao Del Sur; Mamasapano, Maguindanao; Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao; Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao and Datu Unsay, Maguindanao